Ayushman Bharat Yojana, also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), was officially launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23 September 2018. It aims to provide comprehensive health protection to the poor and vulnerable sections of the country. Ayushman Bharat card is issued to the beneficiaries under this scheme, allowing them to avail cashless treatment at listed government and private hospitals.
The main objective of this scheme is to provide health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh annually to every family, so that they can be protected from critical illnesses and medical expenses. Through the card issued under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, beneficiaries can avail medical services at listed hospitals anywhere in the country.
Objective of Ayushman Bharat Yojana :-
The objective of Ayushman Bharat Yojana is to provide assistance for hospital treatment to the families of poor and weaker sections of the country. This scheme helps people suffering from other diseases and the government provides free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh to the affected families in all hospitals. This reduces the burden of families and they can easily get their members treated. Through Ayushman Bharat card, assistance can be obtained in any hospital in the country.
Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana:-
1. Financial security - Every family gets health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh annually.
2. Cashless treatment - Cashless treatment is available at listed government and private hospitals.
3. Comprehensive coverage - It covers medical services such as pre and post hospitalization medical services, surgeries, medicines, and diagnostic services.
4. Portability - Beneficiaries can get treatment at any listed hospital.
5. Fee-free - There is no premium to be paid for this scheme.
6. Medical services - It covers services such as surgeries, medical treatments, diagnostics, and medicines.
7. Ayushman Mitra - Ayushman Mitra deployed at the hospital provides assistance in treatment.
8. Government and private hospitals - This scheme provides treatment at both types of hospitals.
Eligibility for Ayushman Bharat Yojana:-
The eligibility under Ayushman Bharat Yojana is checked on the basis of different criteria for rural and urban areas. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
Eligibility Criteria for Rural Areas:-
- Families living in kutcha houses.
- Landless families whose main income comes from wages.
- Families belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes.
- Families with disabled members.
- Destitute elderly families.
- Families without a male adult (16-59 years).
- Families affected by natural calamity or other reasons.
- Tribal and Other Backward Classes (OBC) families.
Eligibility Criteria for Urban Areas:-
- Garbage pickers.
- Domestic workers.
- Construction workers/plumbers/ masons/labourers/ painters/welders/ security guards.
- Cart pullers/rickshaw pullers/auto drivers.
- Daily wage labourers/hawkers.
- Swachhakars/sanitation workers/watchmen.
- Tailors/Handloom workers/Quilters.
- Electricians/Mechanics/Pump operators/Repairing workers.
- People engaged in domestic work.
Documents required for Ayushman Bharat Yojana:-
Before applying for Ayushman card, make sure that you have all these documents correct and up-to-date. The following are the documents required for Ayushman card:-
- Aadhar card
- Ration card
- Income certificate
- Identity card
- Bank account details
- Passport size photo
Note:-
- Document requirements may vary in different states and regions, so it would be better to get accurate information from the local health department or the official website of Ayushman Bharat Yojana.
- Information about the required documents can also be obtained by visiting Ayushman Mitra or Common Service Center (CSC).