Health insurance is of utmost importance today. You never know when a medical emergency might hit you, with hospital bills emptying your pocket due to expensive treatments, surgeries and medication. With the help of health insurance, you can easily cover hospital expenses without worrying about money.
But, in India, millions of people don’t have health insurance and hence, cannot afford costly treatments. Because of this, they either delay going to the hospital or take loans to pay medical bills.
To tackle this problem, the Government of India launched the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in 2018. It is a health scheme that aims to help poor families get free medical treatment. Also called Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), the scheme helps people get treatment worth ₹5 lakh every year in good hospitals without paying any money.
But before you enjoy the benefits, there are certain things you must be aware of. In this guide, we will talk about the scheme in detail, the Ayushman portal, how to complete your Ayushman Bharat registration and more.
The Vision Behind Ayushman Bharat
The government initiated the Ayushman Bharat Scheme to make healthcare affordable and easy for low-income groups. Many families in the country cannot get treatment as they do not have enough money for hospital bills. With this scheme, such families can now afford to get good treatment without worrying about the expenses.
With the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the government also wishes to reduce the number of people falling into poverty because of medical expenses.
What Makes Ayushman Bharat Stand Out
Here are some of the features that make Ayushman Bharat Yojana stand out:
- ₹5 lakh coverage per year.
- The scheme covers both private and government hospital treatments.
- No need to pay anything at the hospital as it is a cashless scheme.
- With no age limit, everyone is covered from infants to old people.
- Old diseases or pre-existing conditions are also covered under the scheme.
- More than 1500 treatments like heart surgery, cancer and kidney problems are included.
To learn the list of hospitals covered under the scheme or what Ayushman Bharat offers in detail, you can visit the Ayushman portal anytime.

Who Can Benefit from Ayushman Bharat?
Though there is no limit or restriction on age, there are certain conditions you need to meet to avail these health insurance benefits. Here are the eligibility criteria for the Ayushman Bharat Yojana:
Eligibility Criteria For Those Living In Villages:
- Families living in a small one-room house.
- Families with no adults between 16-59 years.
- Families with only women members.
- Families belonging to SC/ST.
- Families doing manual labour work.
Eligible People Living In Cities:
- Street vendors, rag pickers, beggars.
- Housemaids, drivers, plumbers, electricians.
- Construction workers, shop workers and sanitation workers.
How to Register for Ayushman Bharat
Here are the simple steps you need to follow to register for this scheme:
Step 1: Check if you are eligible by visiting the Ayushman Beneficiary Portal and entering your mobile number.
Step 2: Collect your documents such as an Aadhaar card, ration card, income proof and passport-size photo.
Step 3: Visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or any hospital that has an Ayushman Mitra.
Step 4: Get your Ayushman Bharat Health Card after your documents are verified.
Services and Treatments Included Under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana
More than 1500 treatments, both big and small, are covered under the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY Scheme. Here is the list for your reference:
- Hospital admission charges (general and ICU).
- Major surgeries like heart operation, kidney treatment and cancer treatment.
- Maternity care for pregnant women and newborn babies.
- Medicines and tests.
- Before and after hospital expenses.
- Transport charges for ambulance and travel.
Conclusion
If you are eligible for the Ayushman Card, do not wait. Visit the Ayushman portal now, check your eligibility and complete your Ayushman Bharat registration. Health is very important and with this scheme, you can keep yourself healthy without worrying about hospital bills.
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