Introduction:
Ayushman Bharat: Key Points Explained
Ayushman Bharat Scheme: Are you afraid that the cost of health care is on the rise or that medical expenses will drain your bank account? Worry no more! The Indian government has launched a revolutionary healthcare scheme called Ayushman Bharat. It is designed to provide affordable, quality health care for millions of Indian citizens. Let’s dig deeper into this life-changing initiative.
What Is the Ayushman Bharat Scheme?
Ayushman Bharat is an initiative brought by the government of India with the aim of focusing upon providing universal, affordable, and accessible healthcare to Indians. This scheme is divided into two main components: health and wellness centres and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
HWCs have been designated for basic local health care, while PM-JAY has been integrated to cover up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for all hospitalizations of any serious disease. This scheme will finally reduce the economic burden on families and ensure quality health care for all.
What Does the Ayushman Bharat Scheme Cover?
PMJAY includes the following medical costs under its treatment range:
· Costs of medical examination, treatment, and consultation.
· Within 3 days prior to hospitalization.
· After 15 days of discharge.
· Expenditure on medicines and medical consumables.
· Hospital Accommodation Charge.
· Non-intensive or ICU services
· Laboratory and diagnostic services.
· Cost for implanting services if needed.
· Complications emerging in the course of the treatment
· Food services
Who Is Excluded from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
The people that Ayushman Bharat Yojana does not cover:
• Those people owning a vehicle which includes two wheeler, three wheeler or car
• Government employee
• People earning more than ₹ 10,000 per month
• Those people who own farming machinery and equipment
• Those people possessing a well-built house
• Those holding a Kisan card
• Those people who own a motorized fishing boat
• Landholding more than 5 acres of agriculture land
• Government owned non-agriculture business owners
• Possessor of refrigerator and a land-line phone in the house

Why Should You Consider Ayushman Bharat?
For instance, it may prevent you and your family from going bankrupt with high medical bills. Ayushman Bharat comes with health insurance coverage up to Rs. 5 lakh per year. This would be a lifeline if you fall seriously ill or get into some heavy accident. This will save you from worrying about rupee notes for huge hospital bills. In addition, it enables access to primary healthcare services, such as consultations and immunizations, at local health centers. The panacea which offers both preventive and emergency medical aid is Ayushman Bharat, which ensures the money never breaks when you and your family need some healthcare services.
How to Open an Ayushman Bharat Account?
Steps to Open an Ayushman Bharat Account : Apply in simple steps: Check whether your family comes under the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011. Go to a registered hospital or a nearby Common Service Center (CSC). You will need documents such as an Aadhaar card/ration card for verification purposes.
Then, provide details about the family members covered by it. You will then undergo biometric authentication through fingerprint or iris scan. Once enrolled, you will be issued an Ayushman Bharat health card allowing treatments in empaneled hospitals for free without having to pay at the hospital level. Lastly, there is online and/or the helpline that will enable you to check your enrollment status.
Scheme Information of Ayushman Bharat
– Family Floater Scheme: Family floater scheme with an assured sum insured of ₹5 lakh per family per year.
– Cashless Treatment: Cashless treatment at empaneled public and private hospitals.
– Rope Coverage: It encompasses a wide range of medical treatments, such as surgeries, hospitalization, and medical tests.
– Pre and post-hospitalization expenses: Some pre and post-hospitalization expenses are covered under the policy.
– Day Care Procedures: Day care procedures fall under the policy.
– Cost at Std Package Rates: Cost at standard package rates set by the government for different procedures.
– Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs): Primary health-care delivery.
– Eligibility: Eligible people will be selected based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data.
– Enrollment: Enrollment can happen through CSCs and government hospitals.
Key Features of the Scheme: Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Key Feature | Description |
---|---|
Health Insurance Coverage | It provides coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for serious illnesses and hospital treatments, including surgeries and cancer care. |
Cashless and Paperless | No upfront payment at hospitals, and the entire process is paperless, making it easy for beneficiaries to access care without stress or paperwork. |
Wide Accessibility | The scheme aims to cover more than 10 crore families, providing healthcare access not just in cities but also in rural and small-town areas. |
National Network | It also Includes both public and private hospitals, ensuring beneficiaries can access a wide range of medical facilities across India. |
Focus on Preventive Care | Health and Wellness Centres promote regular check-ups, vaccinations, and disease management, keeping people healthy before they need major treatments. |
Portability | Coverage is portable across all states, allowing beneficiaries to access healthcare anywhere in India without losing their benefits. |
Universal Health Coverage | Ensures every eligible family can access healthcare without the risk of financial strain due to medical expenses. |
Inclusive | Covers all age groups, genders, and backgrounds—from children to senior citizens—ensuring that everyone is eligible for benefits. |
Easy Enrollment | Registration is simple and quick through Aadhaar or other ID cards, and can be done at Common Service Centers or participating hospitals. |
Ayushman Bharat Eligibility Criteria
· Eligibility Criteria Under SECC 2011: To avail the Ayushman Bharat scheme, one’s name must be there in the data of SECC 2011. SECC 2011 data highlights those families that are economically weak.
· Coverage for Families: It is a package for the family, not for one single member of the family. So, all your family members will be covered.
· No Income Limit: This scheme does not have any kind of income limit. So, it doesn’t matter in which category your family is. Irrespective of the income you have, if your family has a name in the SECC 2011 data, then you can definitely be a beneficiary.
· Free Treatment: Ayushman Bharat will provide free treatment in all the empaneled hospitals across the nation. That means you do not need to pay at the time of need.
· Portability Across India: The scheme is portable, meaning you can receive any kind of health care at any empaneled hospital if you shift to another state or region.
· Online Check: You can check online through the website of Ayushman Bharat or through your mobile application.
· Check at CSCs: Check with any CSC near you to check your family’s eligibility.
· Government Hospitals Assistance: District level local government hospitals can also be consulted for knowing whether you are eligible for the scheme or not.
· Eligibility Criteria in States: Eligibility criteria are a bit different state to state. So, you should check the local guidelines for relevance.
· Refer to Official Resources: The best thing is to get the information through the official website of Ayushman Bharat or the local authority.
Eligibility Criteria for Ayushman Bharat Yojana for Rural and Urban People
Eligibility Criteria for Rural Families under PMJAY
Rural families are eligible for the PMJAY scheme based on six deprivation criteria. These are:
- D1: Families living in a one-room house with kucha (temporary) walls and roof.
- D2: Households with no literate adult member aged 16-59 years.
- D3: Households with no adult male member aged 16-59 years.
- D4: Families with no able-bodied member or with handicapped members.
- D5: Households belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST).
- D6: Households with no land possession but depend on manual casual labor as the main source of family income.
Eligibility Criteria for Urban Households under PMJAY
Urban families can avail of the PMJAY scheme based on 11 occupational categories:
- Domestic workers
- Beggars
- Ragpickers
- Home-based workers/artisans/tailors/handicraft workers
- Sanitation workers/sweepers/malis
- Construction workers/labourers/painters/welders/security guards/plumbers/coolies/masons/other head-load workers
- Chowkidars/washermen
- Electricians/mechanics/assemblers/repair workers
- Transport workers/rickshaw pullers/conductors/cart pullers/drivers/helpers to drivers and conductors
- Waiters/shop workers/assistants/attendants/helpers/peons in small establishments/delivery assistants
- Street vendors/hawkers/cobblers/other street service providers
Required Documents: Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Eligibility Criteria for Urban Households under PMJAY
To enroll yourself under this Ayushman Bharat, you will require the following documents:
Aadhaar Card: It is the primary identity card needed during enrollment.
Ration Card: Sometimes, the ration card is also accepted as proof of residence and family details.
Other Address Proof: Judging by the circumstances, a voter’s ID, driving license, and even PAN card may be accepted.
Note: The documents needed may differ from state to state according to the procedure followed for enrollment. It would be better to contact your local health department or visit a Common Service Center (CSC) to obtain the most precise information relating to these documents.
How to Apply Offline to the Ayushman Bharat Scheme?
Step | Description |
---|---|
1. Find the Nearest Common Service Center (CSC) | Look for the nearest CSC in your area. If you’re unsure where they are, ask a family member or search online to find one. |
2. Get Your Documents Ready | Prepare all the necessary documents for your family, including Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and other ID cards. |
3. Enrollment Procedure | Visit the nearest CSC and submit your documents to the operator. The operator will check your family details in the SECC database to determine if you’re eligible for the scheme. They may also ask for your fingerprints or eye scan for validation. |
4. Receive Your Ayushman Bharat Card | After verification, you will be issued an Ayushman Bharat card, which confirms that you are eligible for the scheme. You can use this card at hospitals to receive free treatment. |
Important Note | The process may vary slightly in different states. Always check with your local health department or CSC for accurate information. |
How to Apply Online to the Ayushman Bharat Scheme
No online application process is available for Ayushman Bharat, directly.
scheme is enrolling and working mostly through the OFFLINE application at the CSCs or hospitals run by the government. This has been possible since the eligibility is already ready on SECC a government database.
To check if you are eligible, however, you can do so on the official portal of Ayushman Bharat or on your state health portal. In addition, you can check the status of your application on their site online also.
In case you need more information or clarification, you can simply make your way to the nearest CSC or a government hospital to get proper information and assistance.
How to Verify If Your Name is in the Ayushman Bharat Yojana List?
To check if your name exists in the Ayushman Bharat Yojana list you can try to use the following easy methods:
Online:
You can simply visit the official website of Ayushman Bharat. Input the information required there and find out if your name exists.
Common Service Centers (CSC):
You can also simply head towards the nearest Common Service Center and they will facilitate it for you.
If you are unable to visit a CSC, you can still inquire at any Ayushman Bharat hospital.
Call the Helpline:
Dial the toll free number 14555. They will check the name for you.
You alone will get the Ayushman Bharat Card if only your name is there on that list.
List of Serious Diseases Covered by Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
PMJAY covers 1,949 procedures in any of the private network hospitals and all public hospitals. Some of the critical illnesses that Ayushman Yojana covers are mentioned below:
• Carotid angioplasty with stent
• Prostate cancer
• Coronary artery bypass grafting
• Skull base surgery
• Pulmonary valve surgery
• Operative procedure for double valve replacement surgery
• Anterior spine fixation
• Tissue expander for disfigurement following burns.
How to Download Your Ayushman Bharat Yojana Card Online?
The Ayushman card is to be applied because it has dedicated family identification number. Every beneficiary household gets AB-NHPM which is Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission.
You may apply or download the Ayushman card online by following these steps-
• First of all, login to Ayushman Bharat Yojana official website
• Now log in with your email id and generate a password
• Enter your Aadhaar Card number for the further process
• Click on the approved beneficiary option. It’ll redirect to their help center.
•\\t Then, enter your password and the pin number in the CSC. It will redirect to the home page.
• You will find the download option for your Ayushman Bharat golden card.
PMJAY Helpline Number and Address
The users of the PM Ayushman Bharat scheme can call up the helpline number for raising any queries, assistance, or even to lodge a complaint. One can call on the toll-free number, 14555 and 1800111565.
Address: 9th Floor, Tower-I, Jeevan Bharati Building, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001
Wrapping Up: Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Ayushman Bharat Scheme is a great initiative by the government that makes health care cheaper and accessible for the poor. Some serious treatments are also taken care of. Now you can get free treatment in any number of hospitals in the entire country without being told that you will have to pay heavy medical bills.
Even the process of enrollment under Ayushman Bharat is relatively very easy and can be done at any of the local government offices or at any CSC. While lending a helping hand during serious illness episodes, preventive health check-ups, and other services keep people healthy.
Questions You Might Have
How to get the Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
Application under Ayushman Bharat Yojana can be submitted through either Common Service Centre or the government hospital. The applicants will have to provide valid identification in the form of an Aadhaar card, ration card, and other identity proofs. In some places, biometric verification may be required for registration.
What medical services are available under Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
It covers all services, like hospitalization, surgeries, diagnosis, and treatment of severe diseases like cancer, heart, and kidney failures. Benefits also include pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses like diagnostic tests, drugs and medicines prescribed by the attending physician and cost involved in follow-up treatment.
Can I avail of my Ayushman Bharat Yojana card in any hospital?
Yes, you can use your Ayushman Bharat card at public and private empanelled hospitals all over India. The scheme is portable. Meaning anywhere in the country, the beneficiary could have treatment in any one of the empanelled hospitals irrespective of his home state. It is a cashless treatment, meaning you don’t need to give any money upfront at the time of treatment.
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