Making sure you take care of your health as well as the health of your family members is the top priority. However, the costs of medical treatment could be a major source of stress, often forcing families into financial difficulty. To tackle this issue there was a need to address the issue. Government of India launched a revolutionary initiative known as Ayushman Bharat. This program is created to make sure the health of you as well as your family members can access quality health care without having to bear the financial burden.
It functions as a security net that provides a substantial health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family every year to cover hospitalization costs. The scheme was introduced in 2018. This scheme is also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the most comprehensive health insurance program that is funded by the government in the world. It is designed to safeguard more than 50 crore people, and ensure that no one is left out in the quest for essential medical services.
What is Ayushman Bharat?
Ayushman Bharati is a broad healthcare initiative that is designed to offer the full range of health care services. It shifts beyond treating certain ailments and focuses on overall wellness. The plan has two primary components that are designed to help you on your way to a healthier lifestyle:
- Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs): These are now referred to by the name Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and are being built across the nation by enhancing the existing Sub-Health Centres as well as the Primary Health Centres. Their aim is to make healthcare more accessible to your home by providing services for a variety of ailments such as mother and child health, and wellness programs such as yoga.
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY): This is the health insurance portion that is included in the program. It gives you an insurance policy that covers up to 5 lakh for a family annually to be treated in any empaneled public or private hospital across the country. This means that you will get the medical treatment you require without needing to pay out of your budget.
Ayushman Bharat Scheme Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Official Name | Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) |
| Launch Date | September 23, 2018 |
| Health Coverage | Rs 5 lakh per family, per year |
| Beneficiaries | Over 12 crore poor and vulnerable families (approx. 50 crore people) |
| Hospital Network | Empaneled public and private hospitals across India |
| Cost | Fully funded by the Government; no cost for beneficiaries |
| Key Benefit | Cashless treatment for secondary and tertiary care |
| Official Website | beneficiary.nha.gov.in |
Key Benefits for You and Your Family
The Ayushman Bharat scheme has a myriad of advantages to ensure that your health is protected
Financial Protection: The policy provides an annual health insurance plan of Rs 5 lakh per year for the entire family. The amount is sufficient to cover the majority of primary and tertiary healthcare procedures, including surgeries as well as long-term treatment.
No Cap on Family Size or Age: One of the greatest benefits is that there’s no limit to the number of people in your family to be protected. No matter what age, children or old, everyone is covered.
Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions: There is no need to worry about not being able to get coverage for a condition you already suffer from. All pre-existing illnesses are covered starting from the first day you are eligible to participate in the plan.
Cashless and Paperless Treatment: If you go to an empaneled hospital, you are able to receive treatment completely cashless. It is all you have to do is present the Ayushman Card. The hospital will work with the insurance provider to pay the bill.
Nationwide Portability: The advantages of the Ayushman card aren’t limited to just your state of residence. You can avail cashless treatment in any hospital that is empaneled across India This is particularly beneficial if you have to travel for medical treatment that is specialized.
Full Coverage: The program provides a broad range of medical expenses. This includes three days of hospitalization costs (like the cost of diagnostics and medications) along with 15 calendar days for posthospitalization costs (follow-up treatment). It also includes a specific transportation allowance for every hospitalization.
Recent Updates Ayushman Cards 2025
The government continues to expand the scheme to accommodate more people and to provide more infrastructure. In October 2025 there were more than 42 million Ayushman cards were given to recipients. This scheme has already saved families around Rs 1.52 lakh crore in medical costs that were out of the pocket.
One of the most recent developments is the inclusion of all seniors who are 70 and over in the scheme whatever their income situation. This means that the elderly members of your household have access to healthcare that is free. Additionally, the program’s coverage is now extended to different groups, such as construction workers who are registered through welfare boards ASHA employees, as well as Anganwadi workers.
To enhance the healthcare system from the bottom up The government also announced its PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Project (PM-ABHIM). With a budget of more than 64,000 crores, this program is focused on the construction and renovation of hospitals laboratories, clinics, and health centers from the village level to the district level to make the country more equipped for any future health emergencies.
How to Check if You Are Eligible
The initial list of families that were eligible to be included in urban and rural areas was based upon the deprivation and occupation criteria of the Socio-Economic caste census (SECC) in the year 2011. But, due to recent expansions, new families now are enrolled.
You can easily verify your eligibility online:
- Visit the official portal: beneficiary.nha.gov.in
- Choose ‘Beneficiary’, then login with your mobile number as well as the OTP you received.
- Choose your state or scheme (PM-JAY) district, scheme and search using your Aadhaar ID number, name or ID of your family.
- If your name is listed in the results of a search you and your entire family are eligible to participate in the scheme.
If you are able to confirm your eligibility, you will need to finish an eKYC process. This can be completed in an Common Service Centre (CSC) or a kiosk that is designated at an empaneled hospital, or on your own on the internet. After completing e-KYC, you will be able to download your Ayushman card which acts as your health ID when accessing benefits.
It is important to note that the Ayushman Bharat scheme is much more than just a healthcare insurance plan. It is an assurance of accessibility and affordable healthcare for you as well as millions of households across India. With a significant health coverage, it shields your family from the financial burden of major illnesses and guarantees that you will be able to get medical attention in a dignified and secure mind. With its growing coverage and improved infrastructure, this scheme is helping to create an improved and safer future for all. If you believe you may be eligible to participate, you should take a moment to check your eligibility online before generating the Ayushman card. This is a straightforward step that will provide you with a lot of support in times when you require it most.
FAQ’s
What is the Ayushman Bharati scheme?
The Ayushman Bharat scheme, also known as PM-JAY is a state-run health insurance plan that offers the health insurance coverage of 5 lakh for families annually for hospitalizations of tertiary and secondary levels. It’s aim is to provide no-cost and cashless treatments to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable families in India.
What coverage can I get, There is limitations on the size of family?
The coverage is 5 lakh for each family every year. There is no limit on the size of a family either in age, gender, or age and ensures that each member of a family eligible for coverage is insured.
How can I check whether I’m eligible to the scheme?
You can check your eligibility on the official PM-JAY website beneficiary.nha.gov.in by using your mobile number, Aadhaar number, or name.
Hi, I’m Harikesh, a content writer at cgncollege.com. I write engaging and informative articles covering the latest news, India, and global updates. My goal is to keep readers informed with accurate and insightful stories from around the world.
