Medical emergencies rarely wait for a good time, and hospital bills can wipe out a family's savings overnight. The Sehat Sahulat Program (also known as the Qaumi Sehat Card or PM Health Program) exists precisely to prevent that — giving underprivileged and low-to-middle-income Pakistani families access to free, cashless hospital treatment using nothing more than their CNIC.
This guide covers everything about Sehat Sahulat Program eligibility in 2026: how to check if you qualify, what treatments are covered, how much coverage you get, and exactly how to use the card at an empaneled hospital.
What Is the Sehat Sahulat Program?
The Sehat Sahulat Program is a government-backed health insurance initiative ensuring that identified under-privileged citizens across Pakistan get access to their entitled medical health care in a swift and dignified manner, without any financial obligation. It originated as the Prime Minister's National Health Programme, launched in December 2015, and was later restructured and rebranded as the Sehat Sahulat Programme, with the health card known as the Sehat Insaf Card (or Qaumi Sehat Card) in various provinces.
The best part: in most provinces, you don't need to carry a separate physical card at all — your CNIC itself works as your Sehat Card.
Sehat Sahulat Program Eligibility Criteria
- You must be a Pakistani citizen with a valid CNIC or B-Form (for children)
- Eligibility is primarily determined using BISP and NSER poverty-scorecard data, meaning the program mainly targets low-income and underprivileged families identified through this database
- In some provinces, all residents (not only BISP-identified families) are eligible to check and use the program — eligibility criteria can vary by province
- Your immediate family — husband, wife, and their unmarried children — is automatically covered under one family's eligibility
- Newborn children in a registered family are automatically eligible if born in an empaneled hospital (Form-B required within 60 days of birth); if not born in an empaneled hospital, the baby can still be added later using proper documentation at any empaneled hospital's help desk
Important: Your NADRA family data feeds directly into Sehat Sahulat Program eligibility, and NADRA updates this data every 4–6 months. If your family details (marriage, new children, etc.) aren't updated with NADRA, your eligibility check may not reflect your current situation — so keep your NADRA family registration current.
How to Check Your Sehat Sahulat Eligibility
There are three simple ways to check whether you and your family are eligible:
- SMS Method: Type your 13-digit CNIC number and send it via SMS to 8500. You'll receive a reply within a few minutes confirming your eligibility status.
- Official Website: Visit pmhealthprogram.gov.pk, enter your CNIC number, solve the captcha, and click "Check Eligibility."
- Qaumi Sehat Card App: Download the official mobile app and check your family's status directly from your phone.
Sehat Sahulat Program Coverage Limits
Coverage is generally split into two broad treatment categories:
| Treatment Category | What's Covered | Indicative Annual Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary Care | General surgeries, maternity care, fractures, injuries, and similar hospitalizations | Up to Rs. 60,000 per family per year (may include a top-up option) |
| Priority / Tertiary Care | Major diseases including cancer, cardiac conditions, kidney disease, and other serious illnesses requiring specialized hospitalization | Up to Rs. 300,000–400,000+ per family per year, with possible extension |
Note: Exact coverage caps vary by province and are periodically revised — some regions such as Islamabad Capital Territory have reported combined annual coverage up to Rs. 1,000,000 per family. Always confirm your province's current limit on the official portal or with your empaneled hospital's Facilitation Officer.
What's Generally NOT Covered
- Outpatient (OPD) consultations and check-ups — the program mainly covers indoor/hospitalized treatment, not walk-in clinic visits
- Treatments specifically excluded under the agreement with the program's insurance partner
- Cosmetic or non-medically-necessary procedures
How to Use Your Sehat Card at a Hospital
- Confirm your eligibility beforehand using SMS, the website, or the app.
- Visit an empaneled Government or Private hospital — check the current hospital list for your city on the official portal, since only listed hospitals accept the program.
- Bring your original CNIC (and B-Form for a child, if applicable) — no separate physical card or advance application form is required in most cases.
- Report to the hospital's Sehat Sahulat/SSP counter, where a Hospital Facilitation Officer (HFO) will verify your CNIC and guide you through admission.
- Receive your treatment on a completely cashless basis — you should not be asked to pay for covered services at an empaneled hospital.
Helpline & Support Numbers
- National Sehat Sahulat Helpline: 0800-09009
- Punjab Sehat Sahulat Helpline: 0800-09009
- KPK Sehat Sahulat Helpline: 0800-89898
- Eligibility check codes: SMS your CNIC to 8500 (some regions also use 9780)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a physical Sehat Card, or is my CNIC enough?
In most provinces, your CNIC itself works as your Sehat Card — simply bring your original CNIC to an empaneled hospital.
How do I check if my family is eligible?
Send your CNIC number via SMS to 8500, or check online at pmhealthprogram.gov.pk.
Is treatment really free, or do I still pay something?
Covered treatments at empaneled hospitals are provided on a cash-free basis for eligible families, within your program's coverage limit.
Will my newborn automatically be covered?
Yes, if born in an empaneled hospital (Form-B required within 60 days). If born elsewhere, the child can still be added at any empaneled hospital's help desk with the right documentation.
Why does my eligibility check show incorrect family information?
NADRA updates its database (which feeds the program) every 4–6 months, so recent family changes may not yet be reflected. Update your NADRA family registration to keep your eligibility current.
Does the program cover outpatient visits or only hospital admission?
Generally only indoor/hospitalized treatment is covered; routine outpatient clinic visits are typically not included.
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For video guide, view this video
Disclaimer: Eligibility criteria, coverage limits, and empaneled hospital lists are set by the relevant federal/provincial health authorities and insurance partners, and vary by province and may change without notice. Always verify current details on the official portal (pmhealthprogram.gov.pk) or by SMS to 8500 before seeking treatment.
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