Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), also known as the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, is a flagship healthcare scheme launched by the Government of India. This ambitious scheme aims to provide financial protection to over 50 crore vulnerable and economically weaker sections of society, offering them access to quality healthcare services.
What is Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana?
Ayushman Bharat Yojana was launched on September 23, 2018, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is touted as the world’s largest government-funded healthcare program, providing health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. The scheme primarily targets the poor, deprived rural families, and identified occupational category of urban workers’ families.
Eligibility Criteria:
To avail the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana, individuals and families must meet certain eligibility criteria:
- Socio-Economic Categorization: Beneficiaries are identified based on the deprivation and occupational criteria in rural and urban areas. Priority is given to families that fall under the categories of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and those identified as economically backward.
- Household Criteria: Families that are listed in the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) database as per defined criteria are automatically included. Additionally, families with no male member aged 16-59 years, differently-abled members, or with no adult member between the ages of 16 to 59, are also eligible.
- Exclusion Criteria: Families with higher income, owning a motorized vehicle, having Kisan Credit Card with a credit limit of over ₹50,000, paying income tax, owning agricultural land over a specified limit, and possessing two-room houses with a pucca roof are excluded from the scheme.
Application Process:
The application process for Ayushman Bharat Yojana is straightforward:
- Online Registration: Beneficiaries can register online through the official website of Ayushman Bharat or through the Common Service Centers (CSCs) across India. The CSCs provide assistance in the registration process.
- Verification and Validation: After registration, the information provided is verified against the SECC database or any other relevant database to confirm eligibility.
- Generation of e-card: Once the eligibility is confirmed, beneficiaries are provided with an Ayushman Bharat family identification number and an e-card. This card can be used to avail cashless treatment at any empaneled hospital across the country.
- Availing Healthcare Services: Beneficiaries can visit any empaneled hospital for treatment and present their e-card to avail cashless treatment. The hospital will verify the details and provide the necessary healthcare services covered under the scheme.
Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana:
- Financial Protection: The scheme provides significant financial protection to vulnerable families by covering healthcare expenses up to ₹5 lakh per family per year.
- Access to Quality Healthcare: Beneficiaries have access to a wide network of empaneled hospitals, ensuring quality healthcare services.
- Cashless Treatment: The provision of cashless treatment eliminates the burden of upfront payments for medical expenses.
Conclusion:
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is a transformative initiative aimed at ensuring universal healthcare coverage for all citizens, especially the economically weaker sections. By providing financial protection and access to quality healthcare services, the scheme strives to alleviate the burden of healthcare expenses and improve health outcomes across the nation. Eligible individuals and families are encouraged to avail the benefits of this scheme by completing the registration process and obtaining their e-cards for hassle-free healthcare services.
To apply for Ayushman Bharat Scheme, you can click on this link and apply. https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/
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