Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana

Ayushman Bharat Yojana, also known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), was introduced to assist the economically disadvantaged section of society in need of healthcare services. Launched by the Prime Minister on September 23, 2018, this health insurance scheme provides coverage for approximately fifty crore Indian citizens. Renamed as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, it strives to make secondary and tertiary healthcare cashless for underprivileged individuals. PM Jan Arogya Yojana beneficiaries receive an e-card for cashless services at government or private empanelled hospitals nationwide. With PMJAY, access to cashless treatment is just a hospital visit away.

PMJAY Health Cover Categories: Eligibility Criteria for Rural and Urban Areas:

The PMJAY scheme aims to provide healthcare to ten crore families, predominantly consisting of economically disadvantaged households, including both the poor and lower-middle-income groups. This totals eight crore families in rural areas and 2.33 crore families in urban areas, equivalent to 50 crore individual beneficiaries. The selection process in rural areas is based on various criteria like housing, income, and other deprivations, while in urban areas, it includes various occupational categories, such as rag pickers, domestic help, sanitation workers, and more. Not eligible are individuals with certain assets, government employees, and those with higher incomes.