Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) is the world’s largest government health insurance scheme. It gives eligible families a health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospitalisation, cashless at empanelled government and private hospitals across India. Senior citizens aged 70 and above are also covered through a special Vay Vandana card irrespective of income. This guide explains the benefits, who qualifies, how to get your Ayushman card and how to use it.
PM-JAY — key facts
| Cover | ₹5 lakh per family per year (floater basis) |
| Cost to beneficiary | Free — fully government funded |
| Hospitals | Cashless treatment at empanelled public & private hospitals |
| Coverage | Pre-existing diseases covered from day one; includes pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses |
| Special category | All citizens aged 70+ eligible via Vay Vandana card |
| Official portal | beneficiary.nha.gov.in · pmjay.gov.in |
Who is eligible
- Families included in the SECC 2011 deprivation categories (rural) and listed occupational categories (urban)
- Families covered under the earlier RSBY scheme
- All senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of income
- Several states extend coverage to more families through their own top-up schemes
The fastest way to confirm eligibility: open beneficiary.nha.gov.in, log in with your mobile number and check “Am I Eligible”, or call the helpline 14555.
How to get your Ayushman card
- Go to beneficiary.nha.gov.in and log in with your mobile number + OTP
- Search your name by state, district and scheme (or via Aadhaar/family ID)
- If your family is listed, complete Aadhaar e-KYC for each member (OTP, fingerprint or face authentication)
- After approval, download the Ayushman card PDF from the portal or the Ayushman app
- You can also get the card made free at any empanelled hospital’s Ayushman Mitra desk or a CSC centre
Eligibility check and card download are free on the official portal.
How to use the card in hospital
- Locate an empanelled hospital (search on pmjay.gov.in or the app)
- Show your Ayushman card at the hospital’s Ayushman/PM-JAY desk
- The hospital verifies your identity and raises a pre-authorisation for the treatment package
- Treatment, medicines and diagnostics under the package are cashless — the hospital settles directly with the insurer/trust
Frequently asked questions
Does PM-JAY cover pre-existing illnesses?
Yes. All pre-existing conditions are covered from day one — there is no waiting period.
Is OPD (outpatient) treatment covered?
No. PM-JAY covers hospitalisation and day-care procedures, plus defined pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses, but not routine OPD visits or medicines.
My name is not in the list. Can I add it?
PM-JAY eligibility is based on the SECC/occupational lists, so names cannot simply be added on request. Check your state scheme — many states cover additional families — or the 70+ Vay Vandana route for senior members.
Related guides
- Ayushman card apply online
- Ayushman hospital list
- Ayushman card status
- Ayushman card download (PDF)
- Ayushman Bharat eligibility
- Find more schemes
Disclaimer: PMYojanaUpdates.com is an independent information portal, not affiliated with any government department. Always use the official site pmjay.gov.in for applications and status checks.