Ayushman Bharat, also known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), is a government-sponsored health insurance scheme in India. Launched in September 2018, Ayushman Bharat aims to provide financial protection to over 10 crore vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) against catastrophic health expenditure.
Here are some of the key benefits of Ayushman Bharat:
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Health Coverage: Ayushman Bharat provides health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
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Cashless Treatment: Beneficiaries can avail cashless treatment at empanelled public and private hospitals across India. This means they don't need to pay upfront for treatment covered under the scheme.
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Coverage of Medical Expenses: The scheme covers a wide range of medical expenses, including hospitalization costs, pre- and post-hospitalization expenses, diagnostics, and medicines.
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Portability: Ayushman Bharat allows for portability across all states and union territories in India. This means beneficiaries can avail treatment anywhere in the country, regardless of their native state.
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Priority to Women and Children: The scheme prioritizes women, especially pregnant women and newborns, by providing them with special benefits and ensuring access to quality healthcare.
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No Cap on Family Size or Age: Unlike many other health insurance schemes, Ayushman Bharat doesn't have a cap on family size or age. All members of eligible families are covered without any age limit.
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Pre-existing Conditions Covered: Pre-existing diseases are covered under Ayushman Bharat, providing much-needed relief to families facing chronic health issues.
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Empanelled Hospitals: The scheme has a network of empanelled hospitals, both public and private, across the country. Beneficiaries can choose from these hospitals for their treatment.
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Transparent and Paperless Transactions: Ayushman Bharat ensures transparent and paperless transactions, reducing the scope for corruption and ensuring efficient delivery of services.
Overall, Ayushman Bharat aims to address the healthcare needs of the vulnerable sections of society and reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, thereby improving access to quality healthcare services across India.
