Ayushman Card Now Valid for OPD Treatments in UP — Patients to Get Discounts at Private Hospitals

Big Healthcare Boost for Uttar Pradesh: Ayushman Bharat Scheme Extended to OPD Services

In a landmark move, Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in India to extend Ayushman Bharat card benefits to OPD (Outpatient Department) services as well. Until now, patients could only avail of free or cashless treatment under the scheme after being admitted to a hospital. But with this new model, patients can now use their Ayushman Card even for OPD consultations in selected private hospitals across the state.

This initiative marks a significant expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and aims to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for millions of people in UP. The scheme has been rolled out by the State Agency for Comprehensive Health and Integrated Services, which developed the digital system to integrate OPD services under Ayushman Bharat.

What’s New in the OPD Model

Under the new OPD system, patients no longer need to be admitted to use their Ayushman Bharat benefits. Instead, they can directly book doctor appointments for outpatient treatment.

However, unlike hospital admissions where treatment is completely cashless, OPD services under the Ayushman card will offer discounted consultation fees instead of being entirely free.

In the first phase, the OPD facility will be available in 180 private hospitals across Uttar Pradesh. Among these, 20 hospitals will offer completely free OPD consultations, while the rest will provide 20% to 50% discounts on doctor fees.

How to Book an OPD Appointment Using Ayushman Card

Patients can easily book their doctor appointments under the Ayushman Bharat scheme by following these simple steps:

1. Call the official helpline number – 1800-1800-4444.

2. Provide the name of the hospital and doctor you want to consult.

3. The call will be connected directly to the hospital’s OPD department.

4. The hospital staff will share available time slots and confirm your appointment.

If during the consultation the doctor advises hospital admission, the patient will automatically become eligible for cashless treatment under the Ayushman Bharat card. Otherwise, they can continue with discounted OPD services.

How Much Will Patients Pay?

The discount structure depends on the hospital. Out of 180 hospitals included in this phase:

• 20 hospitals will offer free consultations.

• The remaining 160 hospitals will charge only 20% to 50% of the regular OPD fee.

For instance, if a hospital charges ₹1,200 for a consultation, Ayushman cardholders will pay between ₹600 and ₹900, depending on the discount percentage.

This flexible model aims to make healthcare consultations affordable even for those who don’t need hospitalization but still require regular medical advice.

Types of OPD Services Covered

The OPD model under Ayushman Bharat in UP includes five types of outpatient services, covering both general and specialized healthcare:

1. General OPD: For common illnesses such as fever, cold, infections, and general checkups.

2. Specialist OPD: Covers treatment for heart, kidney, and gastrointestinal (GI) conditions.

3. Elective OPD: For planned procedures like knee replacement, pregnancy care, and cataract surgery consultations.

4. Follow-Up OPD: For patients who have already received treatment and need continued medical supervision.

5. Emergency OPD: For urgent cases that need immediate doctor attention but not hospitalization.

Why This Initiative Matters

The expansion of Ayushman Bharat to OPD services marks a major shift in India’s public healthcare delivery system. For most patients, especially those from economically weaker backgrounds, medical expenses begin with OPD visits — doctor consultations, tests, and prescriptions.

By including OPD under Ayushman Bharat, the Uttar Pradesh government is helping families save thousands of rupees annually on regular medical expenses while also reducing the need for unnecessary hospital admissions.

Health experts believe this pilot project could soon become a national model for integrating OPD services into Ayushman Bharat across other states.

Key Highlights

• UP becomes the first state to include OPD services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

• Patients can now book appointments through the helpline (1800-1800-4444).

• 180 private hospitals in UP to offer OPD benefits in the first phase.

• 20–50% discount on consultation fees; some hospitals offer free OPD.

• Coverage includes general, specialist, elective, follow-up, and emergency OPD services.

Conclusion

With this visionary move, Uttar Pradesh has set a new benchmark in accessible healthcare. Extending Ayushman Bharat card benefits to OPD services ensures that even those not requiring hospitalization can still access affordable, quality treatment.

If successful, this model could revolutionize the way India delivers primary healthcare — bridging the gap between hospital care and everyday medical needs, and taking the country one step closer to universal health coverage.