Here’s How To Avail Of Ayushman Bharat Yojana

Launched in 2018, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana aimed to provide health coverage to targeted beneficiaries from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011, based on deprivation and occupational criteria.

On October 29, 2024, the scheme was extended to all resident senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their economic status. Before the extension, the scheme covered over 12 crore families. With the recent expansion, it would now include an additional 4.5 crore families and 6 crore senior citizens, according to a recent press release issued by Press Information Bureau.

As of November 11, there were 30,733 hospitals empanelled under the scheme, including 17,084 government hospitals and 13,649 private hospitals.

Step-By Step Guide On How to Apply

1. Visit the official website of the National Health Authority. Log in using your mobile number, OTP, and Captcha code

2. Click on the ‘for a senior aged 70 and above, click here to enrol’ option on the same page

3. Enter your Aadhaar number and Captcha code, and click ‘search’

4. If the beneficiary details do not exist in the database, click for fresh enrolment

5. Verify Aadhaar details, tick the consent box, and click ‘Allow’

6. Fill in OTPs in the relevant boxes

7. Select ‘none of the above’, capture a photo, and fill in your mobile number, PIN code, address, and details of family members before submitting the form

8. E-KYC is now successfully completed. Download card

Things To Remember

• Coverage starts from day one; there’s no waiting period.

• Cashless coverage is available only at the empanelled hospitals, with no reimbursement.

• If there is more than one senior (70 or above) in a family, they will have to share the coverage.

• This will be in addition to any private health cover you may have.

• Once you opt for Ayushman Bharat, you cannot return to the previous healthcare schemes.

• The packages are specified in the PM-JAY list, but states can modify it by adding additional treatments.

What Is The Scheme?

The scheme has two components

• Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, formerly Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), provide primary healthcare services, including preventive, curative, and palliative care.

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), is a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. Beneficiaries can get an additional Rs 5 lakh coverage after 70 years.

Coverage

• 3 days pre- and 15 days post-hospitalisation-care

• Diagnostic and laboratory services

• Medicine and other healthcare supplies

• Intensive care (ICU) and non-ICU services

• Room services

Who Can Get It?

• Beneficiaries selected based on the SECC data.

• All resident senior citizens aged 70 years or above.

• Employees under Central Government Health Scheme, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, and Central Armed Police Force can opt for this instead of the above schemes.