Ayushman Bharat is one of the most popular flagship schemes of the Government of India. Designed especially to enhance the healthcare system at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. This scheme aims to help over 12 crore poor and vulnerable families, covering around 55 crore people.

Key Features of the Ayushman Bharat Card

• Cashless Healthcare- Under this scheme, one can use cashless healthcare services for up to Rs 5 Lakh per family yearly. One can avail of these services in impaneled hospitals.
• Works as a family floater plan- Ayushman Card benefits are available for more than one family member.
• Pre-Existing Disease Coverage- Covers all the pre-existing conditions from day one.
• Women's health- Provides special packages for women's health issues, such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, and maternity care. 
• Senior citizens - Provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year for senior citizens above the age of 70 years.
• Medicine and Medical Consumables- Includes coverage for essential medicines and consumables required during treatment.
• Non-Intensive and Intensive Care Services- Ensures access to standard and critical care services, depending on the patient's medical needs.
• Post-Hospitalization Follow-Up Care (Up to 15 Days)- Includes follow-up consultations, medications, and therapies to support recovery and prevent readmission after discharge.

Documents required to apply for Ayushman Bharat Card

• Aadhaar card for identity and biometric verification.
• Income certificate.
• Family documents like CM letter/PM letter/ration card.
• Caste certificate.
• Bank account-related documents.
• Bank account-related documents.

Eligibility criteria to apply for the Ayushman Bharat Card

Eligibility is determined based on the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data. The scheme targets economically weaker sections, such as:

• Families living in rural areas with no shelter, or manual laborers, or SC/ST households.
• Urban households with occupations like domestic work, rickshaw pulling, or street vending.

Eligibility Criteria for Rural Households

• Residing in a single room with kucha walls and roof.
• No adult member aged 16 to 59 years
• Having a disabled member or no able-bodied adult member.
• Belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST).
• Landless households primarily depend on manual casual labor for income.

Eligibility Criteria for Urban Households

• Beggar
• Ragpicker
• Domestic worker
• Street vendor/hawker/cobbler/other service provider working on streets
• Construction worker/ labour/ plumber/ security guard/ painter/ mason/ welder/ coolie and other head-load worker/Sweeper/ mali/ sanitation worker
• Home-based worker/ handicrafts worker/ artisan/ tailor
• Transport worker/ conductor/ driver/ helper to conductors and drivers/ rickshaw puller/ cart puller
• Shop worker/ peon in small establishment/ assistant/ helper/delivery assistant/attendant/ waiter
• Electrician/ assembler/ mechanic/ repair worker
• Chowkidar/ washer-man

How Does the Ayushman Bharat Card Work?

• Visit an impaneled hospital and show your Ayushman Bharat Card.
• The hospital staff verifies your eligibility using the card details.
• Once verified, you receive cashless treatment for the covered medical services.

How to Apply for an Ayushman Bharat Card

• Step 1: Visit the official website of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and click on the 'Am I Eligible' tab on the menu bar.
• Step 2: You will be redirected to the Beneficiary NHA portal, where you need to select the 'Beneficiary' option and log in by entering your mobile number, captcha code, and the OTP received on your phone.
• Step 3: Select the scheme as 'PMJAY' and choose other required details, including state and district.
• Step 4: Choose 'Aadhaar Number' under the Search By column and enter your Aadhaar number.
• Step 5: All the family members will be listed along with their Ayushman card status.
• Step 6: If the status of your Ayushman Bharat card is 'Not-Generated', then you can click on 'Apply Now' under the 'Action' column.
• Step 7: Authenticate yourself using your Aadhar number by entering the OTP received on your registered mobile number.
• Step 8: Enter the requested details of the family members, including their mobile numbers, and submit the details to complete the Ayushman card online application process. Once approved, you will be able to download your Ayushman Bharat card.

Bottom Line

The Ayushman Bharat Card is more than a document—it is a step toward a healthier, more equitable India. Bridging the gap between quality healthcare and affordability ensures that no one is left behind in the journey toward universal health coverage.

FAQs on Ayushman Bharat Card

Can we get free treatment with an Ayushman Bharat card?

No, the ABHA card does not provide free medical treatment. However, it can be used to access cashless healthcare at empanelled hospitals through the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

Can we claim medical bills with the Ayushman card?

If you are an Ayushman Bharat Health Account beneficiary, this card can help you avail of cashless treatment and hospitalisation under the scheme.

Is the Ayushman Bharat Card Valid for a Lifetime?

No, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) card is not valid for a lifetime. However, it provides cashless healthcare benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh per year to eligible families.

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