Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) – Full Guide 2025
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), also known as Ayushman Bharat Yojana, is the largest government-funded health insurance scheme in the world. Launched by the Government of India in September 2018, PM-JAY aims to provide free, quality, and accessible healthcare to more than 50 crore Indian citizens. This scheme is primarily targeted toward economically disadvantaged families.
In this article, you will get a comprehensive guide on how PM-JAY works, who is eligible, how to apply, benefits of the Ayushman Card, hospital coverage, and frequently asked questions.
🌟 What is PM-JAY?
PM-JAY is a flagship scheme under Ayushman Bharat that provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. The scheme covers more than 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families, based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data.
🔍 What is the Ayushman Card?
The Ayushman Card is a digital card issued to eligible PM-JAY beneficiaries. This card contains:
- Beneficiary Name
- Family ID Number
- Gender and Age
- QR Code for hospital verification
It allows cardholders to avail cashless treatment in empaneled hospitals across India.
🎯 Objectives of PM-JAY
- Ensure financial protection against catastrophic health expenses.
- Provide free access to healthcare for the poor.
- Promote health equity and universal health coverage.
- Improve health outcomes and reduce out-of-pocket expenditure.
✅ Eligibility for PM-JAY
Eligibility is determined through the SECC 2011 database. Here’s a breakdown:
Rural Eligibility:
- Households with no adult (16–59 years)
- Female-headed households with no adult male
- SC/ST households
- Households with disabled member and no able-bodied adult
- Landless households earning from manual labor
Urban Eligibility:
- Rag pickers
- Street vendors
- Rickshaw pullers
- Construction workers
- Domestic workers
How to Check Eligibility:
- Visit https://mera.pmjay.gov.in
- Enter your mobile number
- Verify with OTP and search by name or ration card number
📝 How to Apply for Ayushman Card
- Go to the nearest CSC (Common Service Centre) or empaneled hospital
- Carry Aadhaar card, ration card, and mobile number
- Biometric authentication will be done
- Ayushman Card will be generated and issued to you
🏥 How It Works in Hospitals
Once you have the Ayushman Card, here’s how to get treatment:
- Visit an empaneled hospital with your Ayushman Card
- Hospital scans QR code to verify details
- Diagnosis by hospital staff
- Hospital requests pre-authorization from NHA
- Once approved, treatment is provided free of cost
💡 Benefits of PM-JAY & Ayushman Card
- ₹5 lakh annual coverage per family
- Over 1,500 medical procedures covered
- No restriction on age, gender or family size
- Cashless & paperless treatment
- Coverage includes pre and post-hospitalization
- Portability across India
📋 Treatments Covered Under PM-JAY
PM-JAY covers a wide range of treatments, including:
- Heart surgery (Bypass, valve replacement)
- Kidney dialysis and transplants
- Cancer treatments including chemotherapy and radiotherapy
- Joint replacements and orthopedic surgeries
- Neurosurgery and brain injury treatments
- Maternity and neonatal care
🏥 Empaneled Hospitals List
More than 25,000 government and private hospitals are empaneled. To find the list:
- Visit hospitals.pmjay.gov.in
- Search by state, district, or pin code
📊 PM-JAY in Numbers (2025 Update)
- Total beneficiaries: 55 crore+
- Ayushman cards issued: 32 crore+
- Hospitals empaneled: 27,000+
- Claims settled: ₹60,000 crore+
💬 Common Challenges
- Lack of awareness in remote areas
- Technical errors during card generation
- Low private hospital participation in some regions
- Delays in claim settlement
📞 Helpline Numbers
- PM-JAY Helpline: 14555 / 1800-111-565
- Website: https://pmjay.gov.in
🧾 Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Ration Card
- Mobile Number
- Income Certificate (if applicable)
🌟 User Ratings & Reviews for PM-JAY
Based on 2,458 reviews across India
👍 Life-saving Support!
“My father underwent heart surgery under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and we didn’t have to pay a single rupee. We are truly thankful to the government for this initiative.”
– Meena Kumari, Uttar Pradesh👌 Good Scheme but Slow Processing
“The scheme is great, but the process to get the Ayushman card took nearly 2 months. There is a need to make card issuance faster.”
– Rajesh Patel, Gujarat🙌 Great for the Poor
“I work as a daily wage laborer. When my wife needed surgery, Ayushman card helped us get free treatment. This is a boon for the poor.”
– Sanjay Bharti, Bihar⚠️ Limited Private Hospital Options
“Finding a nearby private hospital that accepts the card is a bit tough in my area. Government should onboard more hospitals.”
– Priya Sharma, Rajasthan👏 Excellent Coverage!
“My son got dengue and was hospitalized for a week. The entire treatment was covered under PM-JAY. Amazing work by the government.”
– Rani Devi, Madhya Pradesh🧠 FAQs
Q1. Is PM-JAY completely free?
Yes, it is a government-funded health insurance scheme. No money is required from the beneficiary.
Q2. Can I use my Ayushman Card in another state?
Yes, PM-JAY offers portability across India.
Q3. What is the validity of the Ayushman Card?
The card remains valid as long as the beneficiary is eligible under the scheme.
Q4. Can I apply without Aadhaar?
No, Aadhaar is mandatory for biometric authentication.
Q5. What if the hospital denies treatment?
You can file a grievance via the helpline 14555 or on the PM-JAY website.
📝 Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is a revolutionary step toward universal healthcare in India. With the help of the Ayushman Card, millions of families are now protected from financial hardship caused by medical emergencies. If you are eligible, don’t miss the opportunity to register and get your card issued today.