The National Health Authority, NHA has signed an MoU with Telangana Government for implementation of  Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in the state with immediate effect. The Ayushman Bharat scheme has been integrated with the existing state scheme 'Aarogyasri' and this converged scheme is being called Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Aarogyasri.<br />'' <br />''With Telangana joining Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, the scheme now encompasses 33 States and Union Territories. About around 1.3 crore people will be eligible to avail services under the scheme in the State.<br />'' <br />''Beneficiaries are entitled to avail free healthcare coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. Health services can be availed in any of the twenty two thousand empanelled public and private hospitals across the country through the scheme's portability feature. The National Health Authority  along with the State Health Agency will undertake necessary action to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries are provided free healthcare services under the converged scheme.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">While the eligible population of the State would benefit from free healthcare services across the country, the launch of a converged scheme will lead to effective utilization of resources for providing quality healthcare services. NHA will provide several auxiliary support to State Health Agency including related to fraud and abuse control. A beneficiary can call the toll-free number 14555 to know about their eligibility under the scheme and information on how to avail services.</span><br />