WBHS Cashless Limit: West Bengal government employees and pensioners just got major relief on medical costs. The Finance Department has raised the cashless treatment ceiling for private empanelled hospitals from ₹2,00,000 to ₹5,00,000 per hospitalisation, effective for admissions from October 1, 2026.
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How Much Has The Limit Increased?
Until now, beneficiaries of the West Bengal Health Scheme (WBHS) could avail cashless In-Patient Department (IPD) treatment up to ₹2,00,000 per hospitalisation in private empanelled hospitals within the state. This limit was fixed under Memo No. 92-F(MED)WB, dated 07.06.2023.
Now, vide Memo No. 81-F(MED)WB, dated 17.09.2026, the Finance Department’s Medical Cell has enhanced this ceiling to ₹5,00,000, an increase of ₹3,00,000 per hospitalisation. The order has been issued “By Order of the Governor” and signed by Khalid A. Anwar, IAS, Secretary to the Government of West Bengal.
When Does The New Limit Apply?
The revised ₹5,00,000 cashless limit applies only to IPD treatment where the date of admission in a private empanelled hospital is on or after 01.10.2026. If admission happens before that date, even if treatment continues into October, the older ₹2,00,000 cap will still apply.
This enhancement follows a revision of WBHS approved treatment rates, effective from 01.09.2026, notified vide Notification No. 70-F(MED)WB, dated 14.08.2026. As hospital treatment costs under the scheme went up, the cashless ceiling has been raised to match.
Impact: What Changes For Your Wallet
Suppose a family member undergoes bypass surgery costing ₹4,50,000. Under the old rule, the hospital would settle only ₹2,00,000 cashless, and you’d have to pay the remaining ₹2,50,000 upfront before filing for reimbursement. Under the new rule, the entire ₹4,50,000 bill gets settled cashless, with no upfront payment from your side at all.
Even for treatments costing above ₹5 lakh, the benefit isn’t small. Earlier, anything beyond ₹2 lakh came straight out of your pocket. Now that threshold has moved up to ₹5 lakh.
Old Vs New Limit At A Glance
- Previous cashless limit: ₹2,00,000 per hospitalisation (Memo 92-F(MED)WB, dated 07.06.2023)
- New cashless limit: ₹5,00,000 per hospitalisation (Memo 81-F(MED)WB, dated 17.09.2026)
- Increase: ₹3,00,000
- Applicability: Admission date on or after 01.10.2026
- Rate revision effective: 01.09.2026 (Notification 70-F(MED)WB, dated 14.08.2026)
Who Gets This Benefit
All WBHS-enrolled state government employees, pensioners and their eligible beneficiaries, including spouse, children and dependent parents, will get the enhanced cashless limit. All other terms and conditions of the scheme remain unchanged.
If you have surgery or hospitalisation planned soon, scheduling the admission date on or after October 1, 2026, could mean a significantly lower out-of-pocket burden. Check with the hospital’s WBHS desk beforehand to confirm empanelment status and cashless procedure.
Department: Finance
Source: https://healthscheme.wb.gov.in/
📥 Download Govt Order
