Ayushman Card: Up to a ₹5 Lakh Limit, How Many Times Can You Get Treatment in a Year? Know the Important Details

Ayushman Card Rules: Many people have questions about getting treatment with the Ayushman Card. How does the ₹5 lakh limit work, and how many times can you avail of the benefits in a year? Find out here.

Ayushman Card Rules: The government runs various schemes for the people of the country, benefiting millions of citizens. These schemes aim to ensure that no one has to empty their pockets for treatment, education, and necessities. Health-related schemes, in particular, have proven to be a great relief for poor and low-income families. One of the most important of these is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), also known as Ayushman Bharat.

The Ayushman Card issued under this scheme has become a guarantee of treatment for millions of families today. However, people are still confused about how the ₹5 lakh limit works, how many times they can be hospitalised in a year, and which diseases are covered under this scheme. Let's answer all these questions.

How does the Ayushman Card work?

The Ayushman Card is issued under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, launched in 2018. It is a digital health card through which eligible families can avail of free treatment up to ₹5 lakh annually at government and private hospitals listed under the scheme across the country. This facility is for the entire family, not just one individual. There is no need for an agent to get the card, and the entire process is online. As soon as the card is downloaded, you can use it for treatment. This scheme is specifically designed for families who find it difficult to afford expensive medical treatment.

How many times can you get treatment in a year?

People often think that they can get unlimited free treatment throughout the year with the Ayushman Card. The reality is slightly different. The ₹5 lakh limit applies to the entire family. This means that if there are five or six members in the family, they can collectively avail of treatment worth a total of ₹5 lakh in a year. However, there is no restriction on the number of hospitalisations. You can be admitted to the hospital multiple times a year, but the condition is that the total expenditure does not exceed Rs. 5 lakh. Once this limit is reached, any further expenses must be borne by the patient.

Which diseases are covered?

The Ayushman Card is extremely beneficial for the treatment of serious illnesses. It covers major treatments such as heart valve replacement, pacemaker implantation, prostate cancer, spine surgery, skull base surgery, kidney transplant, and corneal transplant. In these cases, the patient does not have to pay the hospital bill. However, OPD consultations, regular medications, X-rays, and blood tests are not covered. This scheme is for economically weaker sections, people working in the unorganized sector, those over 70 years of age, and those not covered by ESIC and PF benefits. Eligible individuals can easily obtain an Ayushman Card through mera.pmjay.gov.in or their nearest CSC centre.