Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY (free treatment up to ₹5 lakh)
What is the scheme?
Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is among the world's largest government health insurance schemes. Eligible families can get cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh a year at empanelled hospitals. Pre-existing conditions are also covered.
Key benefits
- Cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year
- Pre-existing conditions included
- From 11 September 2024, every senior aged 70 or above gets a separate ₹5 lakh cover outside the family limit (Ayushman Vay Vandana card)
- Admission by showing the card at the hospital, verified by QR code
Eligibility – who can apply
- Eligibility is mainly based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data
- Rural: one-room kutcha house, no adult member aged 16–59, SC/ST families etc. get priority
- Urban: unorganised workers such as domestic workers, street vendors, construction workers, drivers
- Some worker categories such as ASHA and Anganwadi workers are also added
- All citizens aged 70+ are eligible for Vay Vandana (check state/scheme rules)
Who is not eligible / things to note
- OPD (only consulting a doctor), cosmetic surgery, fertility treatment, organ transplant and de-addiction treatment are not covered
Documents required
- Aadhaar card (mainly for e-KYC)
- Mobile number linked to Aadhaar
- Ration card / family details (in some states)
How to apply (step by step)
- Open pmjay.gov.in and go to 'Am I Eligible'
- Log in with mobile number, captcha and OTP
- Search your name by entering state, scheme, district and details
- If eligible, do e-KYC with Aadhaar OTP
- Log in again after about 15–20 minutes and download the card
- For treatment, show the card and an ID at an empanelled hospital. Those 70+ have a separate Vay Vandana application option
How to check your status
- Open mera.pmjay.gov.in, log in with your mobile number and OTP, then choose your state and enter your details to check eligibility.
- To get the card, go to the nearest Ayushman Mitra, CSC or listed hospital with Aadhaar and ration card.
- You can also ask about eligibility and the card on helpline 14555.
Payment not received? Possible reasons
- The name is not on the eligibility list (SECC/state list), so no card is made. Eligibility categories can differ by state.
- e-KYC (Aadhaar verification) is not done or the name/age in Aadhaar is different.
- At the time of treatment the hospital is not listed under the scheme, or the treatment is not in a package. Ask the hospital's Ayushman Mitra first.
📞 General help: 14555 · Vay Vandana: missed call on 1800-110-770
Official sites are sometimes slow or down. If it doesn't open, try again later, or search the scheme name here: myScheme.gov.in ↗
Frequently asked questions
Is there an income limit for the Ayushman card?
No fixed income limit. Eligibility depends on lists like SECC 2011 and categories. Check 'Am I Eligible' on pmjay.gov.in.
What should seniors above 70 do?
Do Aadhaar e-KYC and apply separately for the Ayushman Vay Vandana card. Its ₹5 lakh cover is separate from the family limit.
Do I have to pay for treatment?
For approved treatment at an empanelled hospital you should not pay at the counter. Ask the hospital's 'Ayushman Mitra' before admission.
How to check your status
1. Open mera.pmjay.gov.in, log in with your mobile number and OTP, then choose your state and enter your details to check eligibility. 2. To get the card, go to the nearest Ayushman Mitra, CSC or listed hospital with Aadhaar and ration card. 3. You can also ask about eligibility and the card on helpline 14555.