Who is Eligible for the Ayushman Card?

Ayushman Bharat Eligibility Guide

Medical bills can be burdensome to many Indian families, particularly in case of medical emergencies. That is where the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) comes to your rescue.

It is an exceptional government program that provides cashless hospitalization benefits up to ₹5 lakhs on a family floater basis annually, allowing beneficiaries to receive primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services. But who can apply for it? If you are curious about whether you or your family members are eligible, keep reading for more insights.

Eligibility Criteria for Ayushman Card

Getting the Ayushman card is a simple process that allows you to enjoy the benefits of health coverage. However, there are certain eligibility requirements that you must fulfil to avail of this card:

● Families with no adult members between 16 and 59 years.

● Female-headed households with no adult male members between 16 and 59 years.

● Households with a single room that have kucha walls and roofs.

● Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes’ households.

● Families with disabled members do not have any breadwinners.

● Landless families work as manual casual labour as their major means of livelihood.

● Primitive and especially vulnerable tribal groups

● Families who practice manual scavenging

● Alms-dependent destitute families

● Families practising bonded labour

Additionally, this scheme covers all senior citizens aged 70 and older, irrespective of their income status.

Documents Required for Online Application of Ayushman Bharat Card

Below is a list of documents you might need for the online application for the Ayushman card:

● Aadhaar card for identification and biometric authentication

● Income certificate

● Caste certificate

● Family members' documents like CM letter, PM letter, or Ration card

● Bank account papers

How to Apply for an Ayushman Card?

The Ayushman card is a gateway to cashless medical treatment and hospitalization services under the PMJAY scheme. You can get the Ayushman card either online or offline through the steps described below:

1. Online Application Procedure

Follow these steps to apply for an Ayushman Bharat card online:

Step 1: Open the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana website and go to the 'Am I Eligible' link under the menu.

Step 2: You will be taken to the Beneficiary NHA portal. Choose the 'Beneficiary' option and sign in using your mobile number, captcha code, and the OTP you received on your mobile.

Step 3: Select 'PMJAY' as the scheme and enter the necessary details, such as your state and district.

Step 4: In the ‘Search by’ section, select 'Aadhaar Number' and enter your Aadhaar number.

Step 5: The list of all family members and their Ayushman card status will be displayed.

Step 6: If your Ayushman Bharat card status is ‘Not-Generated,’ click on ‘Apply Now’ in the ‘Action’ column.

Step 7: Confirm your identity through your UID number by providing the OTP received on your registered mobile number.

Step 8: Provide the necessary information about family members, such as their mobile numbers, and complete the submission of the details to complete the online application for the Ayushman card.

After your application is sanctioned, you can download your Ayushman Bharat card.

2. Offline Application Procedure

To apply for an Ayushman Bharat card offline, go to a local empanelled hospital or an Ayushman Mitra. Remember to carry your identification documents, such as your Aadhaar card and other required documents, to complete the registration. The staff will assist you in further procedures to receive your Ayushman Bharat card.

Benefits of the Ayushman Card

Mentioned below are the common benefits that you can claim from the Ayushman card:

● Cashless Treatment Up to ₹5 Lakh Per Year

The eligible families can avail the facility of cashless hospitalization coverage ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹5,00,000 per year. This coverage is offered at network public and private hospitals across India for a range of secondary and tertiary health problems.

● 24 Medical Specialties Access

Ayushman Card covers treatment in 24 specialities of medicine, including key areas like oncology (cancer), cardiology (heart), neurosurgery (brain), and orthopaedics (joints and bones).

● Pre- and Post-Hospitalization Expenses Coverage

The eligible families can also get reimbursement for medical care expenditures incurred within 15 days prior to and subsequent to a hospitalization. This covers the costs of diagnostics, follow-up visits, and medications.

● Comprehensive Coverage of Medical Procedures

The Ayushman card covers 1,929 surgical procedures and provides end-to-end financial protection for all types of treatments. It covers expenses for surgery, diagnosis, drugs, rooms, ICU, operation theatre, surgeon charges, and medical equipment.

The Ayushman Bharat card provides free or low-cost healthcare services to many vulnerable families throughout India. It gives millions of people the confidence to access timely treatment without the worry of astronomical hospital bills. If you and your loved ones are eligible, do not miss the chance to apply and obtain the Ayushman card today.