Ramesh's Story: Ramesh, a 45-year-old farmer from Gujarat, was struggling to pay for his wife's treatment for a serious illness. With a limited income of ₹20,000 per month, he was finding it difficult to afford the costly medical bills. However, after learning about the Ayushman Bharat yojana, he was able to get his wife treated at a nearby empanelled hospital for free. The scheme covered up to ₹5 lakh per family per year, which was a huge relief for Ramesh. He was grateful for the labh he received under the yojana and was able to focus on his wife's recovery without worrying about the financial burden.

What is Ayushman Bharat?

Ayushman Bharat is a flagship health scheme launched by the Government of India in 2018, with the aim of providing affordable healthcare to the poor and vulnerable sections of society. The scheme is also known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and is designed to provide a cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. The scheme is cashless and paperless, and beneficiaries can avail of services at any empanelled hospital across the country.

The scheme is a major initiative by the government to achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and to reduce the financial burden on poor and vulnerable families. It is estimated that over 10 crore families will benefit from the scheme, which is approximately 40% of the Indian population. The scheme is funded by the central and state governments, with the central government contributing 60% of the funds and the state governments contributing 40%.

To avail of the benefits under the scheme, beneficiaries need to submit an aavedan along with the required dastavez, such as their Aadhaar card, ration card, and income certificate. Once the aavedan is approved, the beneficiary will receive a patr, which can be used to avail of services at any empanelled hospital.

Key Benefits

  • Cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization
  • Cashless and paperless treatment at empanelled hospitals
  • Pre-existing diseases are covered from day one
  • No cap on the number of family members
  • No age limit for beneficiaries
  • Beneficiaries can avail of services at any empanelled hospital across the country

Who Can Apply? — Eligibility

  • Families living below the poverty line (BPL)
  • Families with an annual income of less than ₹2.5 lakh
  • SC/ST families
  • Families with no male member between the ages of 16 and 59
  • Families with no able-bodied member
  • Families with at least one disabled member

Required Documents (Dastaveez)

  1. Aadhaar card
  2. Ration card
  3. Income certificate
  4. Disability certificate (if applicable)
  5. Proof of residence
  6. Proof of age

How to Apply Online — Step by Step

  1. Visit the official website of the Ayushman Bharat scheme
  2. Click on the "Apply Online" tab
  3. Fill in the required details, such as name, address, and income
  4. Upload the required documents
  5. Submit the application
  6. Take a printout of the acknowledgement slip

How to Apply Offline

  1. Visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC)
  2. Meet the CSC operator and provide the required documents
  3. Fill in the application form
  4. Submit the application
  5. Take a printout of the acknowledgement slip

Pro Tips — Don't Miss These!

  • Make sure to check the list of empanelled hospitals before availing of services
  • Keep your Aadhaar card and other documents handy to avoid delays
  • Use the Ayushman Bharat app to find empanelled hospitals and track your application status

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not checking the eligibility criteria before applying
  • Not submitting the required documents
  • Not keeping track of the application status

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cover amount under the Ayushman Bharat scheme?

The cover amount under the Ayushman Bharat scheme is up to ₹5 lakh per family per year.

Can I avail of services at any hospital?

No, you can only avail of services at empanelled hospitals.

How can I check the list of empanelled hospitals?

You can check the list of empanelled hospitals on the official website of the Ayushman Bharat scheme or through the Ayushman Bharat app.

What is the process for applying online?

The process for applying online involves visiting the official website, filling in the required details, uploading the required documents, and submitting the application.

Conclusion

The Ayushman Bharat scheme is a revolutionary initiative by the government to provide affordable healthcare to the poor and vulnerable sections of society. With a cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year, the scheme is a huge relief for families who cannot afford costly medical bills. If you are eligible for the scheme, do not miss the opportunity to apply and avail of the benefits. You can check your eligibility and apply for the scheme on the official website or through the Ayushman Bharat app. For more information and to check your eligibility, visit JanSevaPlus.in.

Official Sources