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| Ayushman Bharat Yojana |
Ayushman Bharat Yojana: Free
Healthcare for Your Family – Are You Eligible?
Did you
know that 75% of Indian families still pay medical expenses
out of their own pockets, often pushing them into debt? In a country where
healthcare costs are rising, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PM-JAY) emerges
as a lifeline for millions. Launched in 2018, this flagship scheme offers free
healthcare coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family annually to India’s most
vulnerable households. But do you qualify? Let’s break down everything you need
to know.
What is Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
Ayushman
Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the world’s largest
government-funded health insurance program. Designed to protect 50
crore+ Indians from crippling medical bills, it targets low-income
families, laborers, and marginalized communities. The scheme covers 1,500+
treatments, including critical surgeries, cancer care, and maternity
services, ensuring no one is denied care due to financial constraints.
Key Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana
- ₹5 lakh coverage per family yearly for hospitalization, surgeries, medicines, and diagnostics.
- No restrictions on
family size, age, or gender. - Cashless treatment at
27,000+ empaneled hospitals (government and private). - Covers pre- and post-hospitalization expenses for
15 days.
Who is Eligible for Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
Eligibility
is determined using the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data.
Here’s how it works:
For Rural
Families:
- Landless households dependent on manual labor.
- Families without adult members aged 16–59.
- SC/ST communities, tribal groups, and beggars.
For Urban
Families:
- Domestic workers, street vendors, sanitation staff.
- Ragpickers, construction workers, and low-income earners in
informal sectors.
Special
Inclusions:
- Families with disabled members or no able-bodied adults.
- Homeless individuals and those living in kutcha houses.
How to Check Eligibility & Apply
Step 1:
Check Eligibility
- Visit the official PM-JAY website (https://pmjay.gov.in).
- Enter your mobile number, state, and ration card number or SECC
family ID. - Use the Am I Eligible? tool or call 14555 for
assistance.
Step 2:
Apply for the Ayushman Card
- Online: Submit scanned copies of your
Aadhaar, ration card, and income certificate. - Offline: Visit a Common Service Centre (CSC)
or empaneled hospital with documents.
Required
Documents:
- Aadhaar card
- Ration card (if applicable)
- Income certificate or caste certificate
List of Treatments Covered
PM-JAY
covers 1,594 procedures, including:
- Cardiac surgeries (e.g.,
bypass, valve replacement) - Cancer treatments (chemotherapy,
radiotherapy) - Orthopedic surgeries (hip/knee
replacements) - Organ transplants (kidney,
liver) - Maternal care (C-sections,
neonatal services)
How to Use Your Ayushman Card
- Locate an empaneled hospital via the PM-JAY app or website.
- Visit the hospital’s Ayushman Bharat kiosk with your Aadhaar and
PM-JAY card. - Complete biometric verification for cashless treatment.
- All expenses are directly settled between the hospital and the
government.
Common Misconceptions & FAQs
Myth: “Only government
hospitals accept PM-JAY.”
Fact: Over 15,000 private hospitals are empaneled.
Q: Is the
card renewable?
A: No renewal needed—the card is valid for a lifetime.
Q: What if
I lose my card?
A: Download a digital copy via the PM-JAY portal or visit a CSC.
Conclusion: Secure Your Family’s Health Today
Why risk
financial ruin over medical emergencies? If you qualify, Ayushman
Bharat Yojana guarantees free, quality healthcare for your loved ones.
Check your eligibility now and apply—your family’s well-being is worth it.
Need help? Contact the PM-JAY
helpline at 14555 or visit your nearest CSC.
Also Read: Latest Government Schemes 2025
Apply Ayushman Card Flow:
Get Benefits Flow Chart:
Background of the Ayushman Bharat
Mission:
Ayushman
Bharat, a flagship scheme of the Government of India, was launched as
recommended by the National Health Policy 2017, to achieve the vision of
Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This initiative has been designed to meet
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its underlining commitment, which is
to “leave no one behind.”
Ayushman Bharat is an
attempt to move from sectoral and segmented approach of health service delivery
to a comprehensive need-based health care service. This scheme aims to
undertake path breaking interventions to holistically address the healthcare
system (covering prevention, promotion and ambulatory care) at the primary,
secondary and tertiary level. Ayushman Bharat adopts a continuum of care
approach, comprising of two inter-related components, which are –
·
Health and
Wellness Centres (HWCs)
·
Pradhan Mantri
Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
1.
Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs)
Launched in 2018, HWCs aim to transform 1,50,000 Sub Centres and Primary
Health Centres into Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) hubs. They provide
maternal and child health services, treatment for non-communicable diseases,
and free essential drugs and diagnostics. The focus is on preventive
healthcare, promoting healthy lifestyles, and ensuring equitable access to
primary healthcare services.
2.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
PM-JAY, launched in 2018, is the world’s largest health assurance scheme,
providing ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care
hospitalization. It covers 12 crore poor and vulnerable families (about 55
crore beneficiaries) based on SECC 2011 data. The scheme is fully
government-funded, covering pre-existing conditions from day one and offering cashless
treatment across empaneled hospitals nationwide.
Key
Features of PM-JAY:
- ₹5 lakh
annual health cover per family with no age or family size limit. - Covers
hospitalization, diagnostics, medicines, and surgeries. - Cashless
treatment at empaneled public and private hospitals. - Portable
benefits across India for eligible families. - Includes
1,929 medical procedures, covering ICU, OT, physician fees, and implants. - Pre-hospitalization
(3 days) and post-hospitalization (15 days) covered.
PM-JAY replaces previous schemes like RSBY, ensuring comprehensive health
coverage without financial burden on low-income families.
Source: https://abdm.gov.in/