Avail free medical treatment through this government scheme; check if your name is on the list.
Ayushman Card: The worry of expensive medical treatment can disrupt a family's budget. The Ayushman Bharat scheme offers significant relief in this regard. Eligible families receive cashless medical treatment coverage of up to ₹5 lakh annually. Notably, eligibility criteria are even more relaxed for senior citizens aged 70 and above.
Ayushman Card: If you are concerned about incurring lakhs of rupees in medical expenses, this information is relevant to you. Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), eligible families receive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year. Cashless treatment can be availed at government and private hospitals listed under the scheme. However, not every illness or service is covered; treatment is provided according to the scheme's defined packages.
Health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh
Under AB PM-JAY, eligible families receive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh annually. This facility is primarily intended for secondary and tertiary hospitalization—meaning many major treatments requiring hospital admission are covered. A major benefit is that the treatment is cashless; eligible beneficiaries can avail of treatment at empanelled hospitals by simply presenting their Ayushman Card.
Benefits available even for pre-existing conditions
You can avail the benefits of the scheme even if you have a pre-existing medical condition.
Under PM-JAY, pre-existing illnesses are covered from day one; there is no separate waiting period for them.
Expenses covered beyond just treatment
The scheme covers more than just hospitalization costs.
Depending on the specific health package, expenses such as medicines, diagnostic tests, implants, general ward charges, and meals may also be included. Certain medical expenses incurred up to three days prior to hospital admission and for 15 days following discharge may also be covered.
How to check if your name is included in the scheme
First, visit the official Ayushman Bharat beneficiary website. Log in using your mobile number and an OTP. Then, enter your state and other required details. You can verify here whether your name is included among the scheme's beneficiaries. If you face difficulties checking online, you can obtain information from a nearby Common Service Center (CSC) or a hospital empanelled under the scheme. You can also contact the helpline number 14555 for information regarding the scheme.
Major relief for those aged 70 years or older
There is no income criterion for individuals aged 70 years or older. According to the government, all senior citizens aged 70 and above are eligible for AB PM-JAY. They can avail of health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh annually on a family basis. Meanwhile, for families already receiving PM-JAY benefits, members aged 70 or older receive an additional top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh. This additional cover applies exclusively to members aged 70 and above.
Separate Ayushman Card for those aged 70 and above
A separate Ayushman Card is issued to senior citizens aged 70 years or older. Aadhaar-based e-KYC is mandatory for this process. Aadhaar is the primary document required for registration in this category.
You can also apply from the comfort of your home
Senior citizens aged 70 years or older can register via the beneficiary.nha.gov.in portal or the Ayushman App. The Ayushman Card can be issued once the Aadhaar-based e-KYC is completed. There is no separate waiting period to avail the scheme's benefits once eligibility is established.
Can treatment be availed in another state as well? The PM-JAY facility is portable. This means that eligible beneficiaries can avail of cashless treatment at network hospitals even outside their home state.
Not all treatments are covered under the scheme.
It is important to note that PM-JAY does not cover every type of medical expense. Routine OPD treatment, cosmetic procedures, fertility treatments, and certain other services may fall outside the scope of the scheme.
