Quick answer: Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs), now also called Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, are upgraded local health facilities that provide free primary care — checkups, screenings, medicines, and basic diagnostics — close to where you live. They’re the primary-care half of Ayushman Bharat, separate from PM-JAY, which covers hospital treatment. You don’t need a PM-JAY card to use an AB-HWC.

Key Takeaways

• Ayushman Bharat has two components: AB-HWCs for primary care, and PM-JAY for hospital insurance — they work together but are accessed differently.
• AB-HWCs are converted Sub Health Centres and Primary Health Centres, expanded to offer a much wider range of free services than before.
• Services include maternal and child health, chronic disease screening, mental health support, basic dental and eye care, and free essential medicines.
• No PM-JAY enrolment or eligibility check is required to visit an AB-HWC — it’s open primary care for the local community.

AB-HWC vs PM-JAY: How They Fit Together

	AB-HWC	PM-JAY
Type of care	Primary care (checkups, screening, minor ailments)	Secondary/tertiary care (hospitalization, surgery)
Where you go	Your local Health & Wellness Centre	An empanelled hospital
Eligibility	Open to the local community, no card needed	Requires PM-JAY eligibility and an Ayushman card
Cost	Free	Free for covered treatments, up to ₹5 lakh/year

What Services AB-HWCs Actually Offer

The government’s plan calls for around 1.5 lakh centres nationwide, built by upgrading existing Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres. Services span several areas: maternal, neonatal, and child health; reproductive health and family planning; screening and management of common non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension; basic mental health support; eye, ear, nose, throat, and dental care; and emergency care and referral when a patient needs hospital-level treatment.

How AB-HWCs Connect to Hospital Referral

If an AB-HWC identifies a condition needing hospitalization, it can refer you onward into the broader health system — and if you’re PM-JAY eligible, that’s where your Ayushman card becomes relevant, at the hospital stage rather than at the wellness centre. This referral pathway is part of why Ayushman Bharat is described as covering the full continuum of care, from prevention and primary treatment through to hospital-level intervention, rather than being a single scheme.

Finding Your Nearest Centre

AB-HWCs operate at the community level, generally attached to the existing public health infrastructure in your area (Sub Centre, Primary Health Centre, or Urban PHC). Your local ASHA worker, ANM, or district health office can point you to the nearest one; some states have also begun listing centres through their health department portals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a PM-JAY card to visit an AB-HWC?

No. AB-HWCs offer free primary care to the local community without requiring PM-JAY enrolment or an Ayushman card.

What’s the difference between AB-HWC and PM-JAY?

AB-HWC provides free primary care like checkups and screenings at the community level, while PM-JAY covers hospital treatment for eligible beneficiaries. They’re the two components of Ayushman Bharat.

Are AB-HWCs the same as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs?

Yes, Ayushman Arogya Mandir is the updated name used for these Health and Wellness Centres.

Can an AB-HWC refer me to a PM-JAY hospital?

Yes, if a condition needs hospital-level care, an AB-HWC can refer you onward, and PM-JAY coverage would apply at the hospital stage if you’re an eligible beneficiary.

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Related: PM-JAY Hospital List guide, PM-JAY Hospital Empanelment guide, and National Health Authority guide.