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How to Get Ayushman Bharat Card (PM-JAY) - 5 Lakh Health Cover

Get free ₹5 lakh annual health insurance under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme.

📁 Health ⏱️ 15-20 mins 💰 Free

About This Guide

Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is the world's largest government-funded healthcare program, providing ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. Launched in September 2018, the scheme covers over 12 crore poor families (around 55 crore people) - that's 40% of India's population. Treatment is cashless and paperless at empanelled hospitals (over 32,000 across India). The scheme covers 1,949 procedures including pre-existing diseases from day one of enrollment, with no cap on family size or age.

Eligibility Criteria

Family included in SECC 2011 (Socio-Economic Caste Census) deprivation criteria
Or registered under RSBY (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana)
Auto-eligible: Households with no adult member 16-59 years
Auto-eligible: Female-headed households without adult male 16-59
Auto-eligible: Households with disabled member, no able-bodied adult
Auto-eligible: SC/ST households, manual scavengers, primitive tribal groups
Auto-eligible: Landless households deriving major income from manual labor
Rural deprivation: Houses without proper roof, single-room kuccha houses
Urban: 11 occupational categories like rag picker, beggar, domestic worker, street vendor

Documents Required

Keep these documents ready before starting application. Missing documents = delayed approval.

Aadhaar card (mandatory)
Family ration card
Voter ID card
Mobile number (Aadhaar-linked)
Address proof
Income certificate (if state-specific scheme)
PM letter from Govt confirming eligibility (if received)

Step-by-Step Application Process

Follow these steps in order. Each step is critical - skip none.

Check Eligibility First

Visit https://pmjay.gov.in or pmjay.gov.in. Click "Am I Eligible?" Enter mobile number, OTP. Then enter HHD Number, Ration Card Number, or Mobile Number to check if your family is in beneficiary list.

Verify Family Members in List

If eligible, system shows family members from SECC database. Verify all family members are listed correctly. If anyone missing, complete grievance process at your CSC center.

Visit Nearest CSC or Empanelled Hospital

Find nearest Common Service Center (CSC) or PM-JAY empanelled hospital with Ayushman Mitra. Search at pmjay.gov.in → "Find Hospital". Most hospitals have Ayushman Mitra desk.

Carry Required Documents

Bring Aadhaar of all family members, ration card, family details. The Ayushman Mitra/CSC operator will verify your details against beneficiary database.

Complete e-KYC and Biometric

Aadhaar-based biometric e-KYC done at CSC/hospital. Fingerprint or iris scan verifies identity. Family details are matched with beneficiary database.

Photo Capture

Photograph captured for the Ayushman Card. Photo printed on physical card. Ensure clear photo - this becomes your ID.

Card Generation and Print

Card generated immediately. You receive printed Ayushman Card (Golden Card). Some states may charge ₹30 for printing. Card has unique 14-digit number.

Download Digital Copy

After receiving physical card, download digital copy from pmjay.gov.in or Ayushman Bharat app. Keep digital copy in mobile for hospital visits.

Save Hospital List

Search empanelled hospitals near you on pmjay.gov.in → "Find Hospital". Save the list. In emergencies, you can show card at any empanelled hospital for cashless treatment.

Key Benefits

₹5 lakh per family per year health insurance coverage
Cashless and paperless treatment at empanelled hospitals
Pre-existing diseases covered from day 1 (no waiting period)
No cap on family size or members' ages
1,949 procedures covered including cardiac, cancer, neurosurgery
Pre and post-hospitalization expenses covered (3 days before, 15 days after)
Coverage works across India (portability)
32,000+ empanelled hospitals nationwide

What Happens After Application?

Once you have the card, treatment process is straightforward: Go to any PM-JAY empanelled hospital (private or government) → Show Ayushman Card + Aadhaar at Ayushman Mitra desk → They verify eligibility on PM-JAY portal → Pre-authorization request sent for treatment → Approved within hours → Get cashless treatment up to ₹5L. Card is valid for life as long as you remain eligible. For any issues, call PM-JAY helpline 14555 or 1800-111-565.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ₹5 lakh per person or per family?

₹5 lakh is per family per year, not per person. The amount can be used by any family member or shared among multiple members. After ₹5L exhausted, family is on its own till next year.

Can I get treatment in any private hospital?

Only at PM-JAY empanelled private hospitals. Check empanelled list at pmjay.gov.in → Find Hospital. Non-empanelled private hospitals don't accept the card.

Does it cover OPD consultation?

No, PM-JAY covers only secondary/tertiary care requiring HOSPITALIZATION. OPD, regular doctor visits, and outpatient care are NOT covered.

What if my name not in SECC list?

States have additional schemes - Maharashtra MJPJAY, Tamil Nadu CMCHIS, etc. Visit your state government portal for state-specific health insurance with Ayushman convergence.

Card lost - how to get duplicate?

Visit nearest CSC center with Aadhaar. Pay small fee (₹30 typically) for duplicate card. Digital card always available for download from pmjay.gov.in.

How to Get Ayushman Bharat Card (PM-JAY) - 5 Lakh Health Cover

About This Guide

Eligibility Criteria

Documents Required

Step-by-Step Application Process

Key Benefits

What Happens After Application?

Frequently Asked Questions

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