Several Indian national administrations have announced their intention to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). Despite this, UHC remains a distant goal, and the Indian health system continues to suffer from significant limitations in terms of staff, infrastructure, and service quality and availability. India’s public expenditure on healthcare remains among the lowest in the world. In March 2018, the Indian government approved the PM Ayushman Bharat Yojana (AB-PMJAY), hailing it as a historic step toward achieving UHC in India.

Ayushman Bharat Yojana Scheme 2024, considered one of the world’s largest healthcare plans, promises to cover more than 50 crore Indian citizens. It is intended primarily for the country’s economically disadvantaged citizens. The PMJAY was introduced in September 2018 and offers health insurance plans with a maximum sum insured of Rs.5 lakh.

The majority of medical treatment expenditures, medications, diagnostics, and pre-hospitalization charges are covered by the government health insurance plan. Furthermore, the scheme provides cashless hospitalization services via the Ayushman Bharat Yojana e-card, which may be used to obtain healthcare services at any of the country’s impaneled hospitals. By displaying their PMJAY e-card, scheme beneficiaries can obtain hospitalization for essential treatment.

Highlights of PM Ayushman Bharat Yojana

PMJAY Rural

The Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) ranks households according to their socioeconomic level. The status of seven deprivation characteristics is used to rank rural households. The system covers all beneficiaries who fall into at least one of the six deprivation categories listed below and automatically includes destitute, manual scavenger families, living on alms, primitive tribal groups, and bonded laborers:

• Households with a single room that has Kucha walls and a Kucha roof.
• Landless households’ primary source of income is manual casual labor.
• There is no adult member between the ages of 16 and 59.
• In the household, there is a disabled member and no able-bodied members.
• There is no adult male member between the ages of 16 and 59.

PM Ayushman Bharat Yojana Urban

The method classifies urban households based on occupation. The Ayushman Bharat Yojana Scheme 2024 is available to workers in the following occupational categories:

• Beggar
• Domestic helper
• Ragpicker
• Cobbler/Street Vendor/Hawker/Other street service providers.
• Plumber/Builder/Mason/Painter/Labor/Welder/Security Guard/Coolie
• Sweeper/Mali/Sanitation Employee
• Shop Workers/Small Business Peons/Assistants/Helpers/Attendant/Delivery Assistants/Waiter
• Mechanic/Electrician/Repair Technician/Assembler
• Chowkidar/Washer-man
• Tailor/Artisan/Handicrafts Worker/Home-based Worker
• Driver/Transport Worker/Conductor/Cart or Rickshaw Pullers/Driver or Conductor Assistant

Eligibility Criteria for Rural and Urban Population

The PM-JAY scheme was introduced to benefit the lowest 40% of the underprivileged and economically disadvantaged people in the country. This was based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 deprivation and occupational criteria for rural and urban areas. The Ayushman Bharat Yojana Eligibility is structured in such a way that only the most vulnerable members of society benefit from the project.

Features & Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana Scheme 2024

1. It is one of the world’s largest health insurance plans, funded by the Indian government.
2. Services are available throughout the country at any of the accredited public and private hospitals.
3. All pre-existing conditions are covered from the start.
4. The plan covers 1,393 medical treatments.
5. Coverage for secondary and tertiary treatment in public and private hospitals of Rs.5 lakh per family each year.
6. The scheme is eligible for around 50 crore beneficiaries (over 10 crore impoverished and vulnerable entitled households).
7. Up to 15 days of post-hospitalization expenses, including medicines and diagnostics, are covered.
8. There are no restrictions on family size, gender, or age.
9. Hospitalization without the use of cash.
10. Pre-hospitalization charges such as medicines and tests are covered for up to three days.
11. Check out Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat PMABY/PMJAY Benefits Step by Step to know more about it.

How To Download Ayushman Bharat Yojana Card Online?

• Log in with your registered mobile number at the PMJAY website (https://mera.pmjay.gov.in/search/login).

• To generate the OTP, enter the ‘Captcha Code’.
• Select the HHD code.

• Provide the HHD code to the Common Service Centre (CSC), which will verify the HHD code and other information.
• The rest of the process will be completed by CSC officials known as Ayushman Mitra.
• To obtain the Ayushman Bharat card, you must pay Rs.30.

आयुष्मान भारत डिजिटल मिशन रजिस्ट्रेशन (पीएम मोदी हेल्थ आईडी कार्ड)

Faqs

• What is the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana 2024?
  • The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana 2024 is a government healthcare scheme in India aimed at achieving universal health coverage by providing health insurance to economically disadvantaged citizens.
• When was the Ayushman Bharat Yojana Scheme 2024 introduced?
  • It was introduced in March 2018, to improve healthcare access and affordability.
• Who is eligible for the Ayushman Bharat Yojana Scheme?
  • Eligibility is based on socioeconomic criteria. It primarily benefits the economically vulnerable population, both in rural and urban areas.
• What is the coverage provided by this scheme?
  • The scheme offers health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year and covers a wide range of medical treatments, including pre-existing conditions.
• How do I apply for the Ayushman Bharat Yojana card?
  • You can apply online by visiting the PMJAY website, where you need to register and complete the application process, including verification at a Common Service Centre (CSC).
• What is the cost of obtaining an Ayushman Bharat Yojana card?
  • To obtain the card, you are required to pay a fee of Rs. 30.
• Are there any restrictions on family size, age, or gender for beneficiaries?
  • No, there are no restrictions based on family size, age, or gender. The scheme is open to all eligible beneficiaries.
• Are pre-hospitalization expenses covered under the scheme?
  • Yes, pre-hospitalization expenses, including medicines and tests, are covered for up to three days.
• Is the scheme available only at government hospitals?
  • No, the scheme is available at both accredited public and private hospitals throughout the country.
• What makes the Ayushman Bharat Yojana 2024 unique?
  • It is one of the world’s largest government-funded health insurance plans, aiming to provide healthcare services to millions of economically disadvantaged citizens and ensuring that pre-existing conditions are covered from the start.

These FAQs provide information about the Ayushman Bharat Yojana Scheme 2024 and how it benefits eligible individuals in India.