There has been a major change in the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Till now this scheme was mainly for families living below the poverty line, but now its scope has been expanded. The government has recently announced that all senior citizens above 70 years of age will get the benefit of this scheme. Apart from this, 11 new categories have also been included in this scheme.
This step will bring a major change in the healthcare sector of the country. With this, crores of people will be able to get free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh. This will not only prove to be a boon for poor families but will also bring great relief to the middle class. Let us know about this new update in detail.
Ayushman Bharat Scheme: At a glance
| Description | Information |
| name of the scheme | Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) |
| beginning year | 2018 |
| beneficiary | Families below poverty line and now all people in the age group of 70+ |
| coverage | Health insurance up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year |
| New Beneficiaries (2024-25) | 11 new categories of people |
| Total Estimated Beneficiaries | about 40 crores |
| Key Features | Cashless and paperless treatment, pan-India portability |
| covered diseases | Over 1,354 procedures |
11 new categories included in Ayushman Yojana
Now the following 11 categories of people will also get benefits under Ayushman Bharat Scheme:
- Rickshaw puller: All people who drive rickshaws in urban areas.
- Construction Workers: Laborers engaged in building construction and other construction work.
- Plumber: A craftsman who performs pipe fitting and repair work.
- Domestic workers: Servants and helpers who work in homes.
- Dhobi: One who does the work of washing and ironing clothes.
- Electrician: Worker related to electrical work
- Shoemaker: Shoe repairer
- Masseurs: People who work in spas and massage centers.
- Barber: someone who cuts hair and works in a salon.
- Painter: one who does painting and dyeing work
- Guard: Those who work as security guards
Eligibility for Ayushman Card
Now the following people will be eligible under Ayushman Bharat Scheme:
- All persons above 70 years of age: irrespective of their economic status or profession
- Rural areas: Selected households based on Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011
- Urban areas: All workers falling in the above 11 categories
- Categories included in Automatic: Beggars, Manual Scavengers, Primitive Tribal Groups, and Legally Free Bonded Laborers
Benefits of Ayushman Card
Ayushman card holders will get the following benefits:
- Free treatment: Free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year
- Comprehensive Coverage: Coverage of over 1,354 medical procedures
- Cashless facility: No cash payment on hospitalization
- Pan-India facility: Treatment at any registered hospital across the country
- Pre and Post Hospitalization Expenses: Coverage of pre and post hospitalization expenses also
- Medicines Cover: Coverage of all medicines required during treatment
- Diagnostic Tests: Cost of all necessary tests included
How to make Ayushman card?
To make Ayushman card, follow the following procedure:
- Online Application:
- Visit the government website pmjay.gov.in
- Click on “Am I Eligible”
- Select your state and district
- Enter mobile number and captcha code
- Verify by entering OTP
- Fill in your information and submit
- Offline Application:
- Visit the nearest Common Service Center (CSC)
- Carry necessary documents (Aadhar Card, Ration Card, Income Certificate)
- Fill and submit the form
- Help of Ayushman Mitra:
- Contact Ayushman Mitra of your area
- They will come to your home and help with the application process
Diseases covered under Ayushman Scheme
Ayushman Bharat scheme covers treatment of many serious diseases:
- Cancer: Treatment and surgery for all types of cancer
- Heart Disease: Bypass Surgery, Angioplasty, Valve Replacement
- Kidney Disease: Dialysis and Kidney Transplant
- Neurological Disorders: Brain Tumor Surgery, Stroke Treatment
- Orthopedic Problems: Joint Surgery, Spine Surgery
- Eye diseases: cataracts, retina problems
- Delivery: normal and cesarean delivery
Impact of Ayushman Yojana
Ayushman Bharat scheme has brought revolutionary changes in the healthcare sector:
- Wide coverage: More than 35 crore people have benefited so far
- Financial security: Saved poor families from huge medical expenses
- Quality health service: Treatment of poor is possible even in private hospitals
- Improvement in rural health: Better treatment facilities even in remote areas
- Employment Generation: New employment opportunities in health sector
- Digital Health: Process simplified with e-card and digital records
future plans
Government plans to further strengthen Ayushman Bharat scheme:
- Telemedicine: access to expert advice in remote areas
- Mobile Application: Simple Interface for Beneficiaries
- Ayushman Arogya Mandir: Upgradation of primary health centers
- Ayushman Mitra Programme: Increasing support at local level
- Data Analytics: Using Health Data for Better Policy Making
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Although we have tried to provide accurate information, the rules and provisions of Ayushman Bharat Scheme may change from time to time. Please visit the government website pmjay.gov.in or contact your local health authorities for latest and official information. The 11 new categories and extended coverage for the 70+ age group mentioned in this article may still be in the proposal stage and may take some time to be implemented. Please verify with official sources before taking any decision.
