The Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PMJAY) is India’s largest government health scheme, providing free healthcare to low-income and middle-class families.
Also known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, this program offers health coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family annually.
Healthcare costs in India are often high, and families frequently spend a lot on treatment when someone falls ill.
PMJAY helps address this issue by making healthcare completely free for eligible families. The scheme is cashless – you don’t need to pay money at the hospital. It’s also paperless with minimal forms to fill out.
You can use your Ayushman Card at both government and private hospitals across India that are part of the program.
This guide will help you understand the eligibility requirements and necessary documents for obtaining your Ayushman Card.
Key Benefits of the Ayushman Card
The Ayushman Card gives many benefits to families who qualify for it. These benefits help reduce the cost of medical treatment, making healthcare more affordable.
1. ₹5 Lakh Health Cover
Each family receives health coverage worth ₹5 lakh per year. All family members can use this amount together.
If one person uses ₹2 lakh, the remaining ₹3 lakh can be used by other family members. This cover renews annually, providing families with fresh ₹5 lakh coverage each year.
2. Cashless Treatment
Families can receive treatment at hospitals without incurring any costs. The hospital receives payment directly from the government. You just need to show your Ayushman Card at the hospital.
There are no forms to fill out or advance payments to make.
3. Coverage for Pre-existing Diseases
The card covers diseases that you already have before getting the card.
Many other health schemes don’t cover pre-existing conditions. With the Ayushman Card, you receive treatment for existing diseases from the very first day.
4. Pan-India Portability
You can use your card at any approved hospital across India. It doesn’t matter which state you live in. If you are traveling or living in another state, you can still get treatment using your card.
5. Comprehensive Coverage
The card covers more than 1,900 different medical procedures. This includes tests, surgeries, room charges, and post-surgery care. Most common health problems and treatments are covered under this scheme.
It is essential to note that the scheme mainly covers inpatient hospitalization and excludes outpatient department (OPD) expenses like routine doctor visits or diagnostic tests not requiring admission.
Eligibility Criteria for Ayushman Card
The government determines who is eligible for the Ayushman Card based on the 2011 census data. Families are selected based on their living conditions and the type of work they do.
| Category | Rural Families | Urban Families |
| Housing & Living Conditions | Families with only one room and weak walls | Ragpickers |
| Age & Dependency | Families with no adult aged 16-59 | Beggars |
| Health & Disability | Families with a disabled person and no healthy adult | Domestic workers |
| Social Identity | SC/ST families | Street vendors |
| Land & Labor | Families without land who do manual work | Construction workers |
| Economic Vulnerability | Families who beg for a living | Security guards |
| Sanitation Work | Manual scavenger families | Sanitation workers |
| Skilled Services | – | Cobbler/shoe repair |
| Textile Work | – | Tailor |
| Transportation | – | Driver (taxi, auto, rickshaw) |
Families with RSBY cards as of February 28, 2018, are also eligible for this benefit. The government listed eligible families based on these criteria.
Special Eligibility for Senior Citizens (70+)
In a significant expansion of the scheme, all Indian citizens aged 70 and above are now eligible for the Ayushman Card, regardless of their income or living conditions.
- Additional Top-Up for Existing Beneficiaries– Senior citizens in eligible families will get a separate Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, providing an additional ₹5 lakh annual health cover beyond the family’s existing coverage, without sharing.
- Coverage for All Others– Senior citizens aged 70 and above who are not part of an existing PM-JAY family will receive a standard ₹5 lakh coverage on a family basis.
- Immediate Coverage – The scheme provides immediate coverage for all pre-existing diseases from the day of enrollment, with no waiting period.
The only eligibility criterion is that the individual must be 70 years or older, as verified by their Aadhaar card.
Essential Documents Required for Application
You need specific documents to prove your identity and family details when applying for the Ayushman Card. These documents help verify that you belong to an eligible family.
1. Aadhaar Card
Aadhaar card is the most important document you need. It is used to verify your identity through a fingerprint or an eye scan.
The system matches your Aadhaar details with the government database. For online applications, you will get an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number for verification.
2. Ration Card
The ration card lists the names of all family members and confirms that you belong to an eligible household. It helps link you to your family in the government database.
This document is crucial because it outlines the family connection required for the scheme.
3. Family Identification Documents
Some families may have special letters from the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister’s office. These letters directly prove your eligibility for the scheme.
In some states, such as Haryana, families use Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP ID) instead of ration cards.
4. Caste Certificate
SC and ST families may need to show their caste certificate. This document helps verify the caste information already present in the government database.
It may be needed to correct or confirm caste details during the application process.
5. Income Certificate
Some state programs connected to Ayushman Bharat may ask for an income certificate.
Although the main scheme is not income-dependent, this document may be required for verification in certain cases or for state-specific benefits.
6. Disability Certificate
If someone in your family has a disability, this certificate proves your eligibility under special criteria.
Families with disabled members have separate eligibility rules, and this document helps confirm that condition.
The Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Obtaining your Ayushman Card is straightforward once you confirm your eligibility. You can apply online through the website or visit a nearby center for help.
Step 1: Check if your name is on the beneficiary list by visiting the official PM-JAY website or a Common Service Center.
Step 2: Provide your Aadhaar card and family documents, like a ration card, to verify your identity and family details.
Step 3: Complete the e-KYC process using your Aadhaar number via online OTP verification or offline biometric scan.
Step 4: Once verification is successful, your Ayushman Card will be generated, and you can download it or receive a printed copy.
The entire process is designed to be quick and easy. If you encounter any issues, the Ayushman Mitra at hospitals or CSC centers can assist you in completing the application.
Conclusion
The Ayushman Bharat Scheme, also known as PMJAY, is a significant help for many families in India. It gives free healthcare, which means families don’t have to worry about huge bills when someone gets sick.
The program provides a ₹5 lakh health cover each year, and you can receive treatment at many hospitals across the country without incurring any additional costs.
Obtaining the Ayushman Card is straightforward if you have the necessary documents, such as your Aadhaar and Ration Card.
By using the card, families can get the medical help they need and live healthier lives without the stress of high costs. It’s a crucial step to ensure healthcare is accessible and fair for everyone.
