How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Yojana: A Step-by-Step Guide

What is Ayushman Bharat Yojana?

Ayushman Bharat Yojana or Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is one of the most massive health schemes that the Indian Government has developed. The main concept behind Ayushman Bharat Yojana is providing insurance coverage to economically vulnerable patients and their families. Under this scheme, beneficiaries are covered up to Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. This scheme will cover the out-of-pocket healthcare costs of millions of citizens below the poverty line.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Yojana

Eligibility Criteria for Ayushman Bharat Yojana

You need to know about the eligibility criteria before applying. Ayushman Bharat Yojana cannot be applied for by all because only those belonging to the weaker sections of society are eligible.

1. Beneficiaries under Rural Area:

   • Households having no adult member between the age group of 16-59 years.

   • Families have no able-bodied male member belonging to the age group of 16-59 years.

Female-headed households with no male member aged 16 to 59.

Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes.

Member of the household having some specific disability and no able-bodied adult member in the family.

Landless with income only through manual labor.

Households without a home or residing in a single room with walls and roofs that are weak.

2. City Urban Group Beneficiaries :

    Those people working in household associated jobs, street vendors, laborer, sanitary workers etc. residing in the cities are eligible.

You can check whether you are eligible by browsing the official Ayushman Bharat website: https://pmjay.gov.in or through the toll-free number 14555.

 Ayushman Bharat Yojana Application Documents

While the process is nearly fully automated through government records, there are a few key documents you may need. These documents are indispensable to establish your eligibility and authenticity:

1. Identity Proof: Aadhar Card, Voter ID, or any other Government ID.

2. Ration Card: More important in the case of rural beneficiaries.

3. Income Certificate: To establish your standing in the economy.

4. Caste Certificate: In case it is necessary, more specifically for SC/ST beneficiaries.

5. Mobile Number: A valid mobile number for doing the registration and further contacts.

6. Address Proof : Utility bills or rental agreement, any such kind of proof that consists of your address.

Is there an Online Application Process for Ayushman Bharat Yojana?

Yes, you can now apply for the Ayushman Bharat Yojana through the PMJAY official portal. Here’s how you can do it by following the below steps:

Step 1 :Home Page End

All the information regarding eligibility, benefits, and the application process is available on the official website of Ayushman Bharat at https://pmjay.gov.in.

 Step 2 :Get Eligibility Status

There is an option on the home page titled “Am I Eligible”. Clicking on this will allow you to check whether you are eligible to benefit from this scheme or not. You need to provide a few basic information details to complete the process, such as your state, district, and mobile number.

Or You can directly login using the mobile number. You can check if your family is enrolled as a beneficiary under the scheme or not.

Step 3 :Third step of verification will be done by checking your details against the Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) database. If you and your family exist in this database then you are eligible for Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

Step 4: Download your Ayushman Card

Download your Ayushman Card when you are eligible. This card is required to obtain health services under this scheme. However, you are supposed to go with this card only in an empaneled hospital to receive free of cost treatment .

Step 5: Visit the Nearest Common Service Center (CSC)

In case you face some trouble while applying online for Ayushman card, or if you are unable to download your Ayushman card, approach the Common Service Center (CSC) nearest to you. The Government of India had set up a network of CSCs to facilitate access to public services through the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

You might find assistance in getting an application done to the scheme, downloading your card, and further information related to the scheme at the CSC.

Ayushman Bharat Yojana Offline Application Process

The government has also arranged an application process through an offline medium so that those who are not in a position to access the internet need not worry at all. They can easily apply for the scheme.

Step 1: Application through a Health Camp or Empaneled Hospital

You can go to any health camp or a government-empaneled hospital that is covered under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. The hospitals have Ayushman Mitras, who are trained personnel to assist you when you apply.

Step 2: Documents Required

You need to take all the documents along with you- your Aadhar Card, Ration Card, and other identity proof. The Ayushman Mitra will take care of your scrutiny in advance before ascertaining whether you are eligible or not.

Step 3: Apply for Ayushman Card

If you are eligible, the Ayushman Mitra will guide you in creating your Ayushman Card. The card is your passport for all the free treatments under the scheme.

How to Use Ayushman Bharat Card for Treatment

After you get your Ayushman Card, you are all set to avail of health benefits under the scheme. Here’s how you can use the card:

Step 1: Any person can visit any empaneled hospital under Ayushman Bharat Yojana. The following link of the PMJAY website has all the empaneled hospitals. They offer secondary and tertiary healthcare services.

When you go to the hospital, get a verification done on your Ayushman Card. The hospital reception will verify all the details and your free treatment eligibility.

Step 3: Avail free Medical Treatment

Once your card has been verified, the hospital will provide you all the necessary treatments free. The Ayushman Bharat Yojana covers almost all the medical treatment such as surgeries, diagnostic tests and treatments given even after leaving the hospital.

Step 4: No Cash Payment

In the scheme Ayushman Bharat, there is no requirement for the beneficiary to make a cash payment. All treatments of the scheme are cashless and paperless.

Ayushman Bharat Yojana Benefits

The following are a wide range of benefits that Ayushman Bharat Yojana offers for its beneficiaries:

1. Free Health Care : The first benefit of this scheme is free health services up to Rs.5 lakhs per year per family.

2. Complete Coverage: The scheme provides coverage for more than 1,350 medical packages. These packages include surgery, diagnostic procedures, and medicines. The common treatments for the populace include heart surgery, knee replacement, and chemotherapy.

3. No Age Bar: There is no age bar for the beneficiaries. Hence, from children to senior citizens, all can avail its services.

4. No Limitation on Family Size: There is no limit on the number of family members. This will mean that even big families are not restricted from all these facilities without any limitation.

5. Cashless and Paperless: The whole process is cashless and paperless. Beneficiaries need not pay a single rupee advance for their treatment; all records will be all digital.

6. Empaneled Hospitals: The scheme has empaneled both government and private hospitals, so that the beneficiaries receive quality health services across the country.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Although Ayushman Bharat Yojana has been highly beneficial for millions of people, some common challenges exist during the application process:

1. Challenges of verification of eligibility: Lack of the internet may make most citizens face challenges of checking eligibility online. Citizens can even seek help from Common Service Centers or even hospitals to check their eligibility.

2. Verification of document issues: The problematic matter would be verification of some people’s documents. A few may have problems in verification of their documents as not matched to the name or address in records. So, the appropriate information should be accompanied with an updated aadhar card or ration card.

3. Generation of Ayushman Card on a Tardi: There may be some delays for the generation of the Ayushman Card, especially in the case of an offline application. It’s wise to get in touch with the CSCs or Ayushman Mitras to speed up the generation of the card

 FAQs

1. Do I stand eligible for applying to the Ayushman Bharat Yojana even if I do not possess an Aadhaar Card?

Though an Aadhar card is one of the most prominent documents for verification purposes, you can apply based on other identity proofs like voter ID or ration card, but it is very easy with the help of an Aadhar card .

2. Is Ayushman Bharat applicable only to government hospitals?

No, Ayushman Bharat is valid for government and private hospitals that are empanelled under the scheme. You can find a list of empanelled hospitals on the PMJAY official website.

3. What will I do if I don’t have my Ayushman Card during treatment? If you are not carrying your Ayushman Card, the hospital can still check the eligibili

If you are not carrying your Ayushman Card, the hospital can still check the eligibility through your your card.