Quick answer: A hospital becomes PM-JAY-empanelled by registering on the Hospital Empanelment Module (HEM) through hospitals.pmjay.gov.in, meeting infrastructure and staffing requirements, submitting documentation, and passing a physical inspection by the State Health Agency’s District Empanelment Committee. This guide is for hospital administrators — patients don’t need to do any of this.

Key Takeaways

• Empanelment is managed by each State Health Agency (SHA), not directly by patients or by NHA alone.
• Hospitals need minimum infrastructure — typically at least 10 beds, 24/7 emergency care, and basic diagnostic support — before applying.
• NABH accreditation isn’t always mandatory, but it’s preferred and required outright in several states.
• Approval involves document review and a physical site inspection, not just an online form.

Basic Eligibility for Hospitals

Requirement	Typical standard
Minimum bed strength	At least 10 beds, including an operation theatre if surgical packages will be offered
Emergency care	Round-the-clock emergency unit with an MBBS doctor available
Diagnostic support	In-house or tied-up laboratory and radiology services
Accreditation	NABH Entry Level certification preferred; mandatory in some states
Digital compliance	Health Facility Registry (HFR) registration through ABDM is required for empanelment and claims processing

Step-by-Step Empanelment Process

1. Complete a self-assessment against the eligibility criteria before applying.
2. Register the facility on the Health Facility Registry (HFR) under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
3. Create an account on the Hospital Empanelment Module (HEM) at hospitals.pmjay.gov.in.
4. Complete the online application with infrastructure, staffing, and specialty details.
5. Upload required documents — registration certificates, staff credentials, facility approvals, and accreditation proof where applicable.
6. Pay the applicable application fee, which varies by hospital bed capacity and state.
7. Undergo a physical inspection by the District Empanelment Committee.
8. Sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the State Health Agency once approved.
9. Complete final system activation to go live on the platform.

Processing time varies by state and application volume, so hospitals should expect the full process — from application to activation — to take some weeks rather than days.

Who Approves Empanelment

The State Health Agency (SHA) in each state runs empanelment through a District Empanelment Committee, which reviews applications and conducts the physical verification. This means requirements and processing timelines can differ somewhat from state to state, even though the underlying HEM platform is the same nationwide.

Common Mistakes Hospitals Make

Mistake	What to do instead
Applying before completing HFR registration under ABDM	Register on the Health Facility Registry first — it’s now a prerequisite, not an optional step
Submitting incomplete or low-quality document scans	Follow the file format and size requirements exactly; incomplete submissions delay review
Assuming empanelment automatically covers every specialty	Apply specifically for the packages and specialities the hospital can actually deliver

Staying Empanelled: Ongoing Compliance

Empanelment isn’t a one-time approval — hospitals are expected to maintain the infrastructure and staffing standards they were approved under, and are subject to periodic review. Claims processed through TMS (Transaction Management System) are also monitored, and irregularities can trigger a review of a hospital’s empanelment status. Keeping documentation and accreditation current is worth treating as an ongoing responsibility, not a box ticked once at onboarding.

Conclusion

Empanelment gives a hospital access to a large, steady base of patients through PM-JAY, but it comes with real infrastructure, documentation, and inspection requirements set by the State Health Agency. Hospitals that prepare their HFR registration and documentation thoroughly before applying tend to move through the process faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for PM-JAY hospital empanelment?

Both government and private hospitals meeting minimum infrastructure requirements — at least 10 beds, 24/7 emergency care, and basic diagnostic support.

Is NABH accreditation required for empanelment?

It’s preferred and mandatory in several states, though requirements vary by State Health Agency.

Who approves a hospital’s empanelment application?

The State Health Agency (SHA), through a District Empanelment Committee that reviews documents and conducts a physical inspection.

How long does empanelment typically take?

It varies by state and application volume; hospitals should expect the full process to take some weeks from application to activation.

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Related: PM-JAY Hospital List guide, PMJAY TMS Portal for Hospitals guide, and PMJAY UMP Portal guide.