How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Yojana Scheme

Ayushman Bharat Yojana is a flagship scheme and an initiative launched by the Indian Government to achieve the goal of Universal Health Coverage. It is designed to meet Sustainable Development Goals, which state “leave no one behind”. It highlights the need to move away from a segmented approach to healthcare service delivery and join hands with comprehensive healthcare service. This blog will guide you about Ayushman Bharat Yojana and how to apply for the same.

Components of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme

This scheme comes along with two components; one is Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), and the other is Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). Both components work with the similar aim of providing affordable health care to everyone.

Health and Wellness Centre

The Indian Government announced the creation of 1,50,000 HWCs in 2018, which are aimed at delivering services to address the primary healthcare needs of the population in the area. This initiative aims at bringing healthcare services closer to the homes of the people. It is designed to bring focus on keeping people aware and healthy by engaging communities to choose healthy behaviour.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana

PM-JAY was launched in 2018 in Jharkhand by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India. The scheme aims at providing a health cover of ₹5 lakhs per family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to families below the poverty line. The eligibility of the households is based on the deprivation and occupational criteria of the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011. The scheme is entirely funded by the government, and the cost is shared between the central and state governments in a particular ratio.

Features of the Scheme

Ayushman Bharat Yojana is specifically designed for people who can not avail of good healthcare services at affordable prices. It is aimed at covering the entire population with minimum premium. Here are some major features of the scheme:

• Coverage: It provides coverage of  ₹5 Lakh to every eligible family every year.
• Empanelled hospital: The beneficiaries can avail of healthcare services from any empanelled public or private hospital.
• Cashless: Beneficiary does not have to wait for reimbursement as the treatment will be cashless.
• Flexibility to State: Cooperative federalism will be followed by providing flexibility to the states in terms of expenditure.
• Management: National Health Protection Mission Council is there to maintain coordination between the central and state government.
• Health Agency: Each state is asked to create a health agency for seamless implementation of the scheme.

Benefits of the Scheme

Such schemes are meant for the welfare of society in general. This impacts the long-term growth of the economy along with better lifestyles of people. Here are several benefits of the scheme you must know:

• Cost Saving: The expenses incurred during the hospitalisation are covered under the scheme. You do not require to pay for medical expenses as the treatment will be cashless.
• Transport Allowance: The beneficiary is provided with a transport allowance which covers the cost of travel during pre and post-hospitalisation.
• Daycare Treatment: Daycare treatment facilities are included in the package. You don't have to pay for any daycare treatment.
• Pre-existing Condition: Except few conditions known as exclusions, any pre-existing ailment would be treated free of cost.

How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Yojana

If you are among the vulnerable families identified under the Socio-economic Caste Census, 2011, you are eligible for the scheme. Here is the step-by-step guide to check if you are eligible under the scheme:

Step 1: Visit the website of PMJAY and then click on the “Am I Eligible” button

Step 2: Fill in your contact details and click on “Generate OTP”

Step 3: Select your state and start searching by your name, mobile no., HHD number, etc.

Step 4: After 3rd step, you will be able to check the eligibility

Once you find yourself eligible for the scheme, you must get your Ayushman Bharat Yojana Golden Card. Mentioned below are steps to generate your golden card:

Step 1: Visit the PMJAY website and log in

Step 2: Enter the “Captcha” to generate OTP

Step 3: Opt for the HHD code and provide it to Common Service Centre (CSC) to verify the details.

Step 4: The rest of the process will be completed by Ayushman Mitra, who is the representative of CSC.

Step 5: You need to pay ₹30 to get the golden card after the above process.

Last Words

Schemes like Ayushman Bharat have helped many families till now and have aimed to impact the lives of 40% of the population. It has not only made people aware of the need for medical coverage and healthcare facilities but has also provided comprehensive medical coverage for all the members of the family. This has empowered people to go beyond boundaries in order to avail basic and advanced healthcare services.

Those who are not eligible for the scheme need not worry, as there are many private health insurers available to serve you. One of the pioneers in the medical insurance market is Niva Bupa. It has a high customer satisfaction ratio and quality services for the policyholders. It is a one-stop solution for all healthcare insurance needs. So, what are you waiting for? Go and check out various health insurance plans for your family.

FAQs

1. Who is eligible to apply for the Ayushman Bharat Yojana scheme?

   Eligibility is mainly for economically vulnerable families based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data. Priority is given to poor and vulnerable groups, including rural and urban families without health insurance.

2. What documents are required to apply for the Ayushman Bharat scheme?

   Key documents include an Aadhaar card, ration card, income certificate, and a valid photo ID. These help verify eligibility and facilitate smooth processing of the application.

3. How can I apply for Ayushman Bharat Yojana online?

   You can visit the official website to check eligibility and apply. The site provides a step-by-step process, including document uploads and application tracking.

4. Can I apply for Ayushman Bharat Yojana offline?

   Yes, applications can be submitted offline at nearby government health centers or Common Service Centers (CSCs). Assistance is provided to fill forms and verify documents.

5. How long does it take to get the Ayushman Bharat health card after applying?

   Once your application is verified and approved, the health card is usually issued within 7 to 15 working days. This card enables you to avail cashless treatment at empaneled hospitals.