How to apply for Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana?

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is the Government of India’s flagship health insurance scheme that was launched with the aim of offering universal health coverage to the people of India, especially the economically deprived people. The scheme was introduced as per the recommendations of the National Health Policy 2017. Under this scheme, over 18 crore PM-JAY health cards were issued by the government till March 31, 2022.

With the PM-JAY initiative, the government endeavored to offer a comprehensive health insurance facility by incorporating a holistic approach. Hence, PMJAY offers health prevention and health promotion along with ambulatory care in different levels.

The Ayushman Bharat Scheme has two connected components, such as;

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
• Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)

Ayushman Bharat Yojana – Target Group

The PM-JAY scheme is mainly targeted at the economically low sections of the society. Hence, the poor and deprived people of rural and urban areas along with some categories of occupational workers in the urban areas are primarily targeted.

With the PM-JAY Scheme, the government wants to cover nearly 50 Crore Indian population including rural and urban families as per the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data of 2011.

Under the scheme, each family eligible for the plan receives a health cover of INR 5 lakh every year on a family floater basis.

Process to Check for Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Online Eligibility

The PM-JAY scheme is applicable for all beneficiaries who are identified under the SECC 2011. Also, the scheme includes the beneficiaries who have been a part of RSBY scheme.  The eligibility for the scheme can be checked via the NHA or National Health Authority Portal. If you are eligible, you can apply for the scheme by following the below process. Here are the steps to Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana apply online process:

• First the applicant needs to log in to the official website of the scheme – mera.pmjay.gov.in
• Enter your contact number along with the captcha code that you can see on the screen
• You will receive an OTP in your mobile number. Enter the OTP and you will be redirected to the login screen of PM-JAY
• Now, you may select the state where you reside and from where you want to apply for the scheme
• Here, you can check for your eligibility criteria by using details of your Name, Phone number, Ration card number, or RSBY URN number
• In case you are eligible, your name will feature on the right-hand side of the screen
• Now, you can click on the ‘Family Members’ tab to check the beneficiary details

How to Check Eligibility Offline for Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana

Further to this, the eligibility for PM-JAY can also be checked by dialing the Ayushman Bharat Yojana call center number: 1800-111-565 or 14555 or by approaching an EHCP or Empaneled Health Care Provider.

Ayushman Card Online Apply – How to Register the Name for Ayushman Bharat Yojana?

For quick Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana registration online, you can follow the below-mentioned steps:

• First complete the eligibility checking by visiting the PM-JAY official website at https://pmjay.gov.in/
• The names of the eligible applicants are displayed on the right side of the webpage
• Fill up the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana online form to proceed with the Ayushman card online registration
• You might be asked to attach scanned copies to support your documents
• Now, you have to submit the form together with the attached documents
• Once done, the relevant authorities will process your application
• After your application gets approved, you will be issued an online Ayushman card will be issued in PDF, which you can download

Does the PM-JAY work on an entitlement basis?

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme is an entitlement-based scheme which decides the eligibility criteria on the basis of SECC database.

• In case of rural areas, the beneficiaries are categorized as D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, and D7 on the basis of deprivation as per the SECC database
• In case of applicants in the urban areas, the entitlement is determined as per 11 occupational criteria
• Further, among the applicants also includes the beneficiaries of RSBY or Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna
• Let us now take a look at the basic differences between the features of private health insurance policies as compared to Ayushman Bharat Yojana to get better understanding.

Differences between Private Health Insurance V/S the Ayushman Bharat Yojana

Features	Private Health Insurance	Ayushman Bharat Yojana
Health check-up	Free periodic health check-up allowed	No free health check-up allowed
Sum insured	Up to INR 3 Crore (Max)	Up to INR 5 lakh (Max)
Pre and post hospitalization coverage	60 days pre-hospitalization and 180 days post-hospitalization coverage allowed	3 days pre-hospitalization and 15 days post-hospitalization coverage allowed
Coverage of critical illness	Allow coverage of up to 20 critical diseases	Allow coverage for 9 critical diseases
OPD expenses and home treatment	OPD coverage and home treatment	OPD and home treatment not covered
Premiums	Normal premium	Government pays premium on behalf of the applicant
NCB or No Claim Bonus	You get NCB for every claim-free year	No NCB benefit is offered
Tax Benefits	Tax deduction can be claimed under section 80D	No tax benefit is allowed