With this decision, eligible beneficiaries from Rajasthan will be able to access free treatment at empanelled hospitals across India, including Gujarat, removing a long-standing hurdle faced by patients seeking specialised care outside the state.
The move is expected to particularly benefit residents of southern Rajasthan districts such as Udaipur, Banswara and Dungarpur, where patients frequently travel to Gujarat for advanced treatment related to cancer, kidney ailments and heart diseases. Until now, many Ayushman cardholders were forced to bear treatment expenses out of pocket, as their cards were not accepted at several Gujarat hospitals.
The decision follows an intervention by Udaipur Member of Parliament Dr Mannalal Rawat, who wrote to Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma highlighting repeated complaints from constituents. In his letter, Dr Rawat pointed out that despite being enrolled under central and state health insurance schemes, patients were denied cashless treatment in Gujarat’s private hospitals.
Acting on the representation, the state government reviewed the matter and cleared outbound portability, enabling seamless access to treatment beyond Rajasthan’s borders. Officials said the change aligns with the broader objective of Ayushman Bharat to ensure portability of healthcare benefits nationwide.
Health department officials noted that the policy will ease the financial burden on families dealing with critical illnesses and reduce delays in treatment caused by administrative barriers. The government has directed authorities to ensure smooth coordination with empanelled hospitals in Gujarat to implement the decision effectively.
Patients have welcomed the move, calling it a timely step that could prove lifesaving for those dependent on specialised medical facilities outside Rajasthan.
