Ayushman Card: Free treatment will be available this many times a year; if you don't know these rules, you'll have to pay from your own pocket..

Ayushman Card: The Indian government has taken several major steps to make healthcare services accessible to the common man, and the 'Ayushman Bharat Yojana' is one of the most prominent among them. It is considered one of the world's largest health insurance schemes. People often wonder whether they can receive free treatment throughout the year after obtaining an Ayushman card. This question is important because incomplete information can sometimes lead to difficulties for patients at the hospital at the last minute. If you are also a beneficiary of this scheme, you must understand its rules and treatment limits in detail.

What does the ₹5 lakh limit mean?
The main objective of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), launched by the government, is to provide a safety net to economically weaker sections. Regarding the frequency of treatment, the answer is a bit complex and needs to be understood. Technically, there is no limit to the number of times you can visit the hospital in a year. You can be admitted an 'unlimited' number of times, but this facility is only applicable up to an annual limit of ₹5 lakh.

This scheme works on a 'family floater' basis. This means that the ₹5 lakh cover is for the entire family, not per person. For example, if you have 6 family members, this ₹5 lakh amount can be spent on the treatment of one sick member or can be distributed among all members if needed. As soon as your card's wallet balance (the ₹5 lakh limit) is exhausted, you will have to bear the subsequent expenses yourself. Therefore, it is wise to keep track of the balance while undergoing treatment.

The card is only for serious illnesses.
Sometimes people go to the hospital with their Ayushman card for minor illnesses and are disappointed. It is important to clarify here that this scheme is primarily for serious conditions requiring hospitalization. It does not cover OPD (Outpatient Department) services, such as general doctor consultations, X-rays, blood tests, or minor medications. However, if the case is serious, such as heart valve replacement, prostate cancer, kidney transplant, coronary angioplasty, or neurosurgery, this card is nothing short of a blessing. In such situations, the patient does not have to pay the hefty hospital bills out of their own pocket, and the entire process is cashless. This scheme is designed to protect patients from the burden of debt.

How to get your card from home:
Previously, one had to make several trips to government offices to avail of government schemes, but now the government has made the process completely transparent and digital. You don't need to pay any middlemen or agents to get your card. You can do it yourself by downloading the government's 'Ayushman App' on your smartphone.

To log in to the app, you need your mobile number and Aadhaar number. Here, you can check your family's eligibility by selecting your state and district. If a member's name is on the list but the card has not been generated, the 'Authenticate' option will appear next to their name. Here, e-KYC can be completed through Aadhaar OTP and photo verification. Within a week of verification, you can download the card from the same app.

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