Ayushman Bharat Card Benefits: How To Apply And Importance
Sourav Banik
Author

In 2018, the Indian government officially launched a flagship insurance program to cover all these people's basic healthcare costs - Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This program aims to make healthcare accessible to the secondary and tertiary sectors of India and provide healthcare insurance coverage for their ailments. Every family that has enrolled under this scheme is eligible to receive a total ₹5 lakh coverage. Almost 12 crore families have applied for this scheme, covering 40% of the Indian population. Yet to apply for this scheme, you need to possess an Ayushman Card. If you are also wondering how to get Ayushman Bharat Card and know its benefits, then this blog will clearly explain the process.
What Is Ayushman Bharat Card?
The Ayushman Bharat Card is a digital card that makes a person eligible to claim the benefits of the PM-JAY scheme. Without the card, one cannot claim the benefits, as the card alone serves as the identity of the individual to withdraw the benefits. All those who are lying in the income bracket of the secondary and tertiary sector, are eligible for the card. If you are looking at criteria for the Ayushman Bharat Card apply, you have to first understand three things. Whether you are eligible to receive the benefits The documents required for applying online The procedure to apply both online and offline
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Eligibility For Applying
The primary eligibility to apply for this card is being an Indian citizen, and the primary way of earning income is through manual labor work. Not every family can apply for an Ayushman Bharat Health Card, the government has listed out the eligibility clearly for both rural and urban people.
Who Are Eligible?
Both rural and urban dwellers are eligible to apply for this card.
Rural Population Eligibility
Among rural inhabitants, these individuals are eligible to get Ayushman Bharat Card benefits:
- Individuals living on alms
- Individuals inhabiting rooms with only kucha walls and roofs
- Disabled individuals or have no able-bodied member
- Legally released bonded labor
- Households that have no adult males between 16-59 years of age
- SC/ST household members
- Households that live on manual labor earnings and do not possess land
- Members from the primitive tribal group
Urban Population Eligibility
Among the urban population, people who meet these criteria are eligible:
- Ragpicker
- Beggar
- Hawker/street vendor/cobbler
- All domestic workers
- Construction worker/security guard/painter/sweeper
- Sanitation workers
- Tailors/artisans/handicraft workers
- Rickshaw puller/driver/cart puller/conductor
- Delivery assistant/shop worker/waiter
- Electrician/mechanic/repair worker
- Chowkidar/washer-man
Who Is Not Eligible?
There are several cases of people who are not eligible to receive Ayushman Bharat Card benefits. Check out this list as published by the government:
- People owing a two, three or four-wheeler
- People have solidly constructed houses
- People earning a total income of more than ₹10,000 monthly
- Farmers having Kisan Cards with a credit limit of ₹50,000
- Individuals possessing refrigerators and landlines
- Government employees
- Individuals working in government-sponsored non-agricultural projects
- Individuals having more than 5 acres of agricultural land
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Documents Required For Ayushman Bharat Card Apply
The next step when you ask how to get the Ayushman Bharat Card is preparing the documents. Ayushman card is the gateway to providing cashless healthcare coverage for people who do not have primary access to the healthcare system.
- Having an Ayuhsman Card, one can easily get benefits of pre-hospitalization expenses and even expenses cover post-hospitalization expenses. Some of the essential documents that are needed to apply online for this card are:
- Identity Information such as Aadhar Card for biometric verification
- AAY Ration Card or CM/PM Letter
- Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) for identifying members of the family
- BoWc Certificate The application fee for getting your Ayushman Card is zero as per government mandate.
How to Get Ayushman Bharat Card Online
If you are looking for how to make an Ayushman Bharat Card online, here are some simple steps to follow. Online application is essentially less time-depriving and can speed up the process to a large degree. Note down the details:
- Visit the official portal of PMJAY
- Check the “Am I Eligible” option
- Select Beneficiary option
- Sign up with your mobile number and the CAPTCHA
- You need to complete your eKYC by submitting your Aadhar and mobile number
- Check the “Click Here To Enroll” option
- You will be getting an OTP verification for your mobile number. Note to always sign up with a mobile number that is verified
- You will get an option to add your family member
- You will have to upload your photo and your residential address
- After this step, you need to re-login to the site
- Check the “Click Here To Enroll” option again
- Enter your Aadhar number and pass the CAPTCHA verification
- If your Ayushman Card is approved, you will see your name directly appear in the dashboard. Click the download card and wait for your Ayushman Bharat Card download to begin.
How To Make Ayushman Bharat Card Offline
If you’re thinking about how to make Ayushman Bharat Card offline, you can follow just three steps to get started. Here are they:
- The first step is to visit the Common Services Center (CSC)
- You have to consult the required officer for the Ayushman Card
- Submit the required documents
- After the verification of the documents, you will be handed over the Ayushman Card or may be mailed the card to your registered postal address. You can also collect your Ayushman Card from the CSC within 7 working days.
Conclusion
In 2024, a popular news media reported that almost 40 crore Indians lack health insurance. Not only are these 40 crore individuals living without any protection for medical expenses, but they are also deprived of basic medical coverage. The Indian government recognized the need for health insurance for the lower-income groups in India, given the menacing increase in India’s healthcare cost. This is where the Ayushman Card comes in. By knowing Ayushman Bharat Card benefits, you will be able to apply or guide anyone who wants to apply for it. Share this blog with someone you know who is eligible for the benefits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Explore moreIs the Ayushman Card free?
Yes, the Ayushman Card is completely free.
Can anyone apply for Ayushman Health Card online?
Yes, you can apply for an Ayushman Card online if you meet the eligibility criteria.
What is the maximum income limit for Ayushman Card?
There is no certain max income limit set to apply for Ayushman Card, although anyone who earns more than or equal to ₹10,000 monthly is not eligible.
Do I need an income certificate to claim Ayushman Bharat Card benefits?
Yes, you will need to submit your income certificate along with identity proof to enroll your name for getting the benefits of Ayushman Card.
How many days to get my Ayushman Card?
You can wait for 7 working days to get an Ayushman Card. Although it can be more than 7 days depending on the process of application and documents submitted. If you submit insufficient documents, you may have to restart the application process again.
Do you have more questions?
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