Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY gives eligible families free, cashless hospital treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh every year at government and empanelled private hospitals anywhere in India. Since October 2024, every citizen aged 70 or above is also covered, whatever their income.

తెలుగులో చదవండి →

What is PM-JAY?

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is the Government of India's health assurance scheme, run by the National Health Authority (NHA). It pays for hospital treatment of eligible families, so they do not have to spend from their own pocket.

Benefits

• Cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
• Cashless and paperless treatment at public and empanelled private hospitals.
• Covers up to 3 days of pre-hospitalisation and 15 days of post-hospitalisation expenses, such as diagnostics and medicines.
• No limit on family size, age or gender.
• Pre-existing diseases are covered from day one.
• Works across India: you can get treatment in an empanelled hospital in any state.

Who is eligible?

1. Families identified from SECC 2011 data

Eligibility is based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011. In rural areas, families covered include those that meet at least one of these conditions:

• Only one room with kucha walls and kucha roof.
• No adult member between 16 and 59 years.
• No adult male member between 16 and 59 years.
• A disabled member and no able-bodied adult member.
• SC/ST households.
• Landless households earning mainly from manual casual labour.

Some families are included automatically, such as households without shelter, destitute families, manual scavenger families, primitive tribal groups and legally released bonded labourers. In urban areas, eligibility is based on occupation, for example rag pickers, domestic workers, street vendors, construction workers and similar categories.

Many states have extended the scheme to more families using their own lists, so check your eligibility even if you are not in SECC 2011.

2. All senior citizens aged 70 and above (Ayushman Vay Vandana card)

Since 29 October 2024, every Indian citizen aged 70 years or above is eligible, irrespective of income. Age is taken from the Aadhaar card.

• Seniors aged 70+ who are not in an already-covered family get ₹5 lakh per year on a family basis (shared with a spouse who is also 70+).
• Seniors aged 70+ whose family is already covered under PM-JAY get an additional top-up of up to ₹5 lakh per year just for themselves, which they do not share with younger family members.
• Seniors already using CGHS, ECHS or Ayushman CAPF can either stay with their existing scheme or choose PM-JAY.
• Seniors with private health insurance or ESI can also get the card.

How to check eligibility and get the Ayushman card

Online (website or app)

1. Go to beneficiary.nha.gov.in or install the official Ayushman App from the Play Store / App Store.
2. Log in with your mobile number and OTP.
3. Search with your state, scheme (PM-JAY) and Aadhaar number or other details. For 70+, choose the senior citizen enrolment option.
4. If your name appears, complete Aadhaar eKYC.
5. Once approved, download your Ayushman card.

Offline

Visit the Ayushman Mitra help desk at any empanelled hospital, or a Common Service Centre (CSC), with your Aadhaar card and ration card.

Documents needed

• Aadhaar card (for eKYC; age proof for 70+)
• Ration card or family ID, if asked
• Mobile number

How to use it at a hospital

1. Find an empanelled hospital near you on hospitals.pmjay.gov.in.
2. Go to the Ayushman Mitra desk and show your Ayushman card or Aadhaar.
3. Your identity is verified and the treatment is approved under the scheme. You do not pay for covered treatment.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• National Health Authority: About PM-JAY
• PIB: Cabinet approves health cover for all citizens aged 70+ (Sept 2024)
• NHA: FAQs on benefits for senior citizens (PDF)