Ayushman Bharat Yojana is an ambitious and landmark health protection scheme of the Government of India, aimed at providing quality and free healthcare services to economically disadvantaged families in the country. The scheme was launched on September 23, 2018.
In India, healthcare expenditures often exceed families’ incomes. A serious illness can completely devastate a household’s financial situation. This scheme serves as a safety net for the poor and vulnerable. Therefore, it is considered a major transformational step in the country’s healthcare sector.
Objective of the scheme
The primary objective of this scheme is to provide quality and modern healthcare services to economically weaker and disadvantaged families, completely free of charge . Families are covered for hospitalization, surgery, medications, tests, and post-hospitalization care at no cost.
This plan is extremely useful not only for common illnesses but also for serious ones. For families who cannot afford expensive surgeries and treatment for serious illnesses, the Ayushman Bharat plan proves to be a lifesaver.
Additionally, the scheme also aims to provide access to private hospitals to the poor, so that quality medical services are not limited to the economically capable.
Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Under this scheme, eligible families receive free health insurance up to ₹5 lakh per year . This amount applies collectively to all family members. This means that all family members, regardless of their age, can benefit from this scheme.
This plan covers almost all major illnesses, surgeries, operations, cancer treatments, heart surgeries, kidney transplant procedures, and more than 1,500 medical packages. The following services are completely free:
- admitted to hospital
- Operations and surgeries
- medicines
- Investigations and Lab Tests
- ICU Services
- Pre- and post-hospitalization treatment
The insurance amount is paid directly to the hospital, and the patient does not have to pay any bills. This is the biggest advantage of this plan.
Who is eligible?
The Ayushman Bharat scheme is for families that are economically weaker and whose names are registered in the Socio-Economic Census (SECC) 2011. Separate eligibility lists have been prepared for both rural and urban areas.
Such families in rural areas include—
- living in a mud house
- wage dependent families
- landless families
- Scheduled Castes and Tribes
- Mendicants, domestic workers, sanitation workers, etc.
In urban areas, eligibility is occupation based, such as-
- rickshaw driver
- domestic helper
- Worker
- Daily wage labourers like electricians/plumbers/gardeners
- small shop worker
This scheme does not require a pre-existing insurance card. Eligible families receive treatment based on their government-issued Ayushman card .
What is Ayushman Card?
The Ayushman Card is a key document for this scheme. This card contains the beneficiary’s name, family number, age, identification number, and QR code. Patients simply show their Ayushman Card upon hospitalization, and the hospital immediately begins cashless treatment.
Ayushman cards can be easily obtained at a CSC center, hospital, or government health camp. In many states, they can also be obtained online.
Hospitals included in the scheme
Both government and private hospitals are included under this scheme. Participating hospitals must adhere to certain standards and facilities to ensure patients receive the best possible treatment.
The beneficiary can check the list of hospitals in his area on the official portal to know which hospitals are providing this service near him.
application procedure
There is no need to fill out any online forms for this scheme. If a family is eligible, their name is already on the list. Beneficiaries only need to get their Ayushman card made. For this:
- Visit the nearest CSC center
- Provide Aadhaar card and family member’s identity card
- The officer will verify your SECC data
- Once eligibility is confirmed, the Ayushman card is issued immediately.
After this the beneficiary can use the scheme anytime.
Benefits of the scheme
The Ayushman Bharat scheme is a major support for poor families. Serious illnesses often deplete a family’s years of savings, leaving treatment incomplete. This scheme addresses this problem.
This allows poor families to receive better treatment, even in private hospitals. In other words, it brings equity to healthcare.
Moreover, due to cashless facility in hospitals, treatment is not delayed and families do not have to face stress.
Planning challenges
The scheme also faces some challenges. In many states, the list of eligible families has not been updated, leaving many eligible individuals without benefits. Some private hospitals are opting out of the scheme due to low insurance packages or delayed payments.
Furthermore, people in rural areas are still unable to fully benefit from the scheme due to a lack of information. The government and state administration are addressing these issues through ongoing awareness campaigns.
conclusion
The Ayushman Bharat scheme is a revolutionary initiative in India’s healthcare system. It has become the largest source of health security for the poor and needy. Millions of families are now receiving safe treatment for critical illnesses through this scheme.
This scheme not only improves healthcare but also makes a significant contribution to establishing social equality. The scope and impact of this scheme will expand in the coming years, further strengthening healthcare facilities in India.