The Ayushman Bharat scheme, launched with the vision of a healthier India, is a stride in the nation’s journey towards universal healthcare. As a flagship initiative, it aims to provide comprehensive health insurance to over 500 million citizens, especially targeting the underprivileged and vulnerable sections of society.
Central to this scheme is the Ayushman Bharat Card which bridges the gap between healthcare services and beneficiaries. The card allows its holders to access a range of healthcare benefits under the scheme. This ensures that eligible individuals can avail of medical services without financial hardship.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about the Ayushman Bharat Card, from the step-by-step Ayushman Card download process to how the card works.
Eligibility Criteria
Before proceeding with the Ayushman Bharat Card download, ensure that you are eligible for the benefits under it. The eligibility requirements are as follows:
1. Rural Households
Based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data, certain categories of rural households are eligible. These include:
i. Families living in one-room makeshift houses with no proper walls or roof.
ii. Households with no adult member aged between 16 and 59 years.
iii. Families with disabled members and no able-bodied adult members.
iv. SC/ST households.
v. Landless households who derive a major part of their income from manual labour.
2. Urban Households
For urban areas, eligibility is determined based on occupation. Eligible groups include:
i. Rag pickers and beggars.
ii. Domestic workers.
iii. Street vendors/cobblers/hawkers.
iv. Construction workers, plumbers, masons, labourers, painters, welders.
v. Sweepers and sanitation workers.
3. No Cap on Family Size and Age
There is no restriction on the size of the family or the age of the members, ensuring coverage for all members of an eligible family.
4. Automatic Enrollment for Existing Beneficiaries
Families that are beneficiaries of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) are automatically enrolled.
5. Exclusions
Certain groups are excluded from the scheme, such as those who own a motorised two/three/four-wheeler or fishing boat, and those who own mechanised farming equipment. Similarly, citizens employed by the government and those who own Kisan cards with a credit limit above a specified amount are excluded. Also, families with any member earning more than ₹10,000 per month are excluded.
How to Download Ayushman Card?
Downloading the Ayushman Bharat Card is a straightforward process. These are the documents and information you will need for your Ayushman Card download:
1. Aadhar Card: For identity and address verification.
2. Mobile Number: Linked with Aadhar for OTP verification.
The step-by-step process to download an Ayushman card is as follows:
1. Go to the official Ayushman Bharat website, pmjay.gov.in.
2. Once on the website, click on ‘Menu’ and select ‘Beneficiary Identification System (BIS)’ under the Portals section.
3. Look for the option ‘Download Ayushman Card’ and click on it.
4. You will be prompted to choose the ‘Aadhaar’ option. Enter your Aadhaar Number and other details such as the Scheme and State.
5. After entering the details, click on ‘Generate OTP’. Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number and click ‘Verify’ for identity confirmation.
6. Upon successful verification, you will be able to download the Ayushman Card. It will be available in PDF format.
7. It’s advisable to take a printout of the downloaded card for ease of use during medical treatments.
Importance of Ayushman Bharat Card
The Ayushman Bharat Card has been transforming healthcare access in India. It is targeted at economically vulnerable populations and offers substantial financial protection against high-cost medical treatments.
The card covers a comprehensive list of medical procedures. It facilitates cashless transactions at enlisted hospitals across the country and removes geographical and financial barriers to good quality healthcare. The scheme’s portability is also beneficial for migrant workers, as they can avail medical services anywhere in the country.
The Ayushman card has increased healthcare utilisation, improved the quality of healthcare services, and, most importantly, provided a safety net for millions against the catastrophic expenditures of health emergencies.
How does the Ayushman Bharat Card work?
The Ayushman Bharat Card is a key element in India’s quest to provide universal healthcare. It allows eligible beneficiaries to access a wide range of medical services, ensuring healthcare is both accessible and affordable. Here’s an overview of how the card works:
1. Usage in Hospitals and Clinics
The card can be used at any enlisted hospital or healthcare facility across India, which includes both government and private institutions. Upon arrival at the hospital, the beneficiary presents the Ayushman Bharat Card along with a valid ID for verification. The hospital’s help desk will then verify the beneficiary’s eligibility under the scheme.
2. Availing Healthcare Services
Once eligibility is confirmed, beneficiaries can avail themselves of various healthcare services covered under the scheme, which range from primary care to tertiary care procedures. The process is designed to be cashless and paperless, thus ensuring minimal hassle for the beneficiaries.
Treatment, hospitalisation, and medication costs are directly settled between the hospital and the government, bypassing the need for any upfront payment by the patient.
3. Limitations and Guidelines
It’s important to note that only healthcare services included in the scheme’s package are covered. Any treatment or medication outside this package will not be covered.
The card is valid only at empanelled hospitals that are part of the Ayushman Bharat network. Beneficiaries should ensure that their card details are up to date and should be aware of the coverage limit and the types of treatments covered.
4. Impact and Effectiveness
The card effectively decreases the financial burden on low-income families, providing them with access to healthcare services that were previously unaffordable. It promotes healthcare equity, ensuring that even the poorest segments of the population have access to quality healthcare services.
In Conclusion
The Ayushman Bharat Card can be easily obtained from the official process by following the Ayushman card download steps detailed above. This card is a move towards inclusive healthcare without financial barriers. Take advantage of this scheme and download your Ayushman Bharat Card to access its benefits.
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10 January 2024
6 mins read
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