Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Ayushman Bharat Scheme to provide health insurance coverage to poor and middle-class families. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana, eligible families receive insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per year. The scheme was launched on April 14, 2018, in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, on the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. In this article, we will share all the important details about the objectives and benefits of the PM Ayushman Bharat Yojana for middle-class families.
What is Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
Under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana, 1350 diseases are treated for free. An insurance cover of ₹5 lakh is provided for the treatment of these diseases. The government bears the cost of up to ₹5 lakh for treatments under the scheme, which includes many serious diseases.
Serious Diseases Covered Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana
The government regularly launches various schemes for the poor, unemployed, students, and farmers. Keeping the needs of the economically weaker sections in mind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. The scheme was first launched in the Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, on April 14, 2018, which is the birthday of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Later, on September 25, 2018, the scheme was launched nationwide on the birthday of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. Through the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana, poor and middle-class families are provided an annual insurance cover of ₹5 lakh.
Ayushman Bharat Yojana Overview
- Name of the Scheme: Ayushman Bharat Yojana
- Launch Date: April 14, 2018
- Nationwide Launch: September 25, 2018
- Launched By: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Objective: To provide health services to economically weaker families
- Benefits: Insurance coverage up to ₹5 lakh
- Eligible Beneficiaries: Indian citizens
- Official Website: https://pmjay.gov.in/
- Operated By: Ministry of Health, Government of India
Special Features of Ayushman Bharat Yojana
The scheme benefits Indian citizens whose financial condition is weak.
It includes the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, allowing beneficiaries to receive treatment in both private and government hospitals covered under the scheme.
Many top hospitals are part of the scheme to ensure that the poor do not face any difficulty when getting treated for major illnesses.
The government covers all expenses related to hospitalization and treatment for beneficiaries.
The scheme is accessible nationwide, meaning that a beneficiary in one state can receive treatment in any other state under the scheme.
Objective of Ayushman Bharat Yojana
The central government launched Ayushman Bharat Yojana with the aim of providing affordable treatment to poor families. Many families struggle to afford treatment in case of major illnesses. The scheme offers treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh, easing the financial burden of these families during times of medical emergencies.
Eligibility for Ayushman Bharat Yojana
Families Living in Urban Areas:
- Beggars
- Domestic workers
- Families living below the poverty line (BPL)
- People earning a livelihood through labor work
- Street vendors, hawkers, cobblers, and road service providers
- Gardeners, sweepers, sanitation workers, and similar professions
- Chowkidars, artisans, handicraft workers, and transport workers like auto drivers, truck drivers, bus drivers, conductors, hand cart drivers, etc.
- Delivery persons, shop workers, peons, waiters, repair workers, mechanics, electricians, etc.
Families Living in Rural Areas:
- Families with no male member between the ages of 16 to 59 years
- Disabled members
- Members of ST (Scheduled Tribe), SC (Scheduled Caste) families
- Economically weak families
- Families living in small kutcha houses
- Primitive tribal groups
- Families living on alms or in poor financial conditions
- Bonded laborers
- Families below the poverty line
- Landless families or families dependent on daily wages
Who Cannot Become a Beneficiary of Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
The scheme is designed for economically weaker families, and some people do not qualify for the benefits. These include:
Kisan Credit Card holders
- Government employees
- Families owning two-wheelers, three-wheelers, or four-wheelers
- Families using agricultural machinery or equipment
- People earning ₹10,000 or more per month
- Families living in good, concrete houses
- Owners of motorboats for fishing
- People owning more than five acres of land
- Employees working in government agricultural enterprises
- Families using refrigerators and landline phones in their homes
Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana
- Health Insurance: Beneficiaries are provided with health insurance of ₹5 lakh.
- Coverage of Medical Expenses: This includes hospitalization charges, medicines, treatments, and other necessary medical expenses.
- Pan-India Treatment: Beneficiaries can receive treatment in any hospital across India covered under the scheme.
- Hospitalization and Post-Treatment Coverage: The scheme covers expenses related to hospitalization, treatment, and post-treatment care.
- Day Care Treatment: Day care treatments are covered, but hospitalization is mandatory.
- No Age Restriction: There is no age limit for beneficiaries under the scheme.