What is PMJAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana)?
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), also known as Ayushman Bharat Scheme, is an ambitious health insurance scheme launched by the Government of India in 2018. It aims to provide health coverage to economically disadvantaged families across India. This healthcare initiative is one of the largest of its kind in the world and is designed to bridge the gap in access to quality healthcare.
- Scheme Type: Health Insurance
- Coverage: ₹5 Lakh per family per year
- Target Group: Economically weaker sections (EWS) and rural populations
- Duration: Ongoing (Started in 2018)
It aims in making healthcare services affordable, while reducing the expenditure made by individuals on treatment during hospitalization.
PMJAY Card: What It Is and How to Use It
The PMJAY Card is a crucial document for beneficiaries under the scheme. This card serves as the key to accessing free medical treatment at hospitals empaneled under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
How to Get the PMJAY Card
- After your registration is complete, you will be issued a Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana card, either digitally or physically.
- The card can be used across any hospital, whether public or private, that is empaneled under the scheme.
Benefits of the PMJAY Card
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana provides a wide range of benefits to its beneficiaries, with the primary aim of improving access to healthcare. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the benefits:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Financial Coverage | Up to ₹5 lakhs per annum per family for hospitalization and surgical treatment, for pre-existing diseases. |
| Cashless Treatment | No initial payment is to be made for treatment at government and private empaneled hospitals. |
| Secondary & Tertiary Care | Covers expenses for major surgery, critical care, cancer treatments and more. |
| Access to Private Hospitals | Treatment can be availed by the beneficiaries in empaneled public and private hospitals. |
| No Age Limit | PMJAY is for all people, irrespective of their age, young or old. |
This comprehensive coverage means that the overwhelming majority of people in high-risk jobs can get the medical treatment they need even without paying for it.
Key Features of PMJAY
Health Insurance Coverage for Poor Families
PMJAY provides a cover of ₹5 lakh per family per annum for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. The coverage is aimed at 10 crore families or about 50 crore beneficiaries, focusing on families in the poor and vulnerable sections of society.
Treatment without Cash and Paper
Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana beneficiaries are entitled to avail of cashless treatment in any of the numerous empaneled hospitals in the country. Whether it’s a public or private hospitals, the initiative guarantees a hassle free, paperless
Comprehensive Coverage
Over 1,350 medical procedures, including surgeries, diagnostics, medical treatments and post-hospitalisation, are covered under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. This large spread of coverage also provides for serious illnesses such as cancer, heart issues and orthopedic surgeries.
Eligibility Criteria for PMJAY
PMJAY beneficiaries – these are the people that qualify for the health insurance cover under the scheme. The recipients are determined by Government and categorized as socio-economic categories.
Eligibility Criteria for PMJAY
- Families mapped through the SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census).
- Families below poverty line (BPL).
- Families with annual income below ₹10,000, or under certain criteria specified by the state government.
Once your family is identified as a beneficiary, you will receive a Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana card that can be used in both public and private hospitals empaneled under the scheme.
How to Apply for PMJAY?
The application process for PMJAY has been kept simple to enable eligible families of the deprived sections of the society to enroll themselves under the program. There are multiple ways to apply for PMJAY:
- Apply Online: You can apply at the PMJAY official website or Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana portal.
- CSC (Common Service Centres): Beneficiaries can visit their local CSC to apply for Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
- State Government Help Centers: Several states offer offline registration through designated centers.
Here’s how you can easily apply for Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana online in a few steps:
- Visit the official PMJAY portal at https://bisbeta.nha.gov.in/.
- Tap the ‘Check Your Eligibility’ button.
- Submit your contact number and other information.
- If you are eligible, enter your personal and family information.
- Submit the form and download the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana card.
Alternatively, you may also verify if your family is already covered by checking the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Beneficiary List online.
PMJAY Registration Process
For those who wish to register themselves at PMJAY, it is possible to do so at the Common Service Centers (CSC) and at the designated government offices and also online on its official Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana website.
Required Documents for Registration
- Aadhar card (for identity verification)
- Income certificate or ration card (for proof of financial status)
- BPL (Below Poverty Line) certificate, if applicable
- Family details (number of family members, etc.)
Once registered, you will receive a Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Card that can be used to avail of medical services at any recognized hospital.
PMJAY Portal: All In One Solution
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana portal has been specially designed to make the registration, application and tracking process easier for the applicants.
- Eligibility Check: Check if you or your family is eligible.
- Online Application: Apply Online for Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana through an easy registration process.
- Beneficiary look up: Know your beneficiary by your name.
- List of Empaneled Hospitals: Find the hospitals where Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana services are available
The portal supports several languages, so it is accessible to broad audience..
PMJAY Beneficiary Details
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana beneficiary is the person or household which is covered by the health insurance scheme. Beneficiaries are selected through the parameters provided by the government and are segregated under different socio-economic categories.
PMJAY CSC: Role of Common Service Centers
The Common Service Centres (CSCs) are integral part of the implementation process of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. These centers are places that provide services that people can access to get help with:
- PMJAY Registration: Apply for the scheme, verify eligibility, and get registered.
- PMJAY Application: Submit application forms for healthcare services.
- Document Verification: Verify documents for both registration and claiming health benefits.
CSCs can be found in rural and remote areas, ensuring that people who have limited access to digital infrastructure can still benefit from Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana .
Implementation and Success of PMJAY
PMJAY has had great success so far in terms of the volume of treatments covered, hospitals empaneled and the beneficiaries it serves. Some key figures include:
- Over 50 crore beneficiaries covered.
- More than 1 crore hospital admissions under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
- 20,000+ empanelled hospitals in India.
This has made PMJAY one of the largest healthcare schemes in the world changing the stage of quality healthcare for underprivileged households.
PMJAY: Challenges and Future Outlook
As PMJAY’s implementation is primarily successful there are some areas which present challenges:
Lack of awareness: In rural areas especially, all the beneficiaries entitled to the scheme are not aware of it.
Healthcare Infrastructure: Even though there are many hospitals, some of the rural areas lack good healthcare infrastructure.
Long Run Fund: As the scheme is a large-scale one, maintaining sustainability in the long-run is an issue.
The government is actively working on expanding awareness campaigns and improving healthcare facilities to overcome these challenges.
FAQs
How do I apply for PMJAY?
You can apply through Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana portal, CSC and government health centers.
Is PMJAY only for people living in rural areas?
No, it is open to both urban and rural poor families identified under specific government criteria.
How can I check my Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana beneficiary status?
Go to PMJAY official website and click on “Check Eligibility”.
What are the documents required for PMJAY registration?
You will require Aadhar card, BPL certificate, Income certificate as well as family details.
Can I use the PMJAY card at any hospital?
Yes, you can get treatment from any PMJAY empaneled hospital.