Benefits of the PM Health Card and How to Apply Online

Have you ever worried about affording healthcare for yourself or your family? Medical bills can rack up quickly, and even a small procedure might deplete your savings. But what if there was a program that could help?

The PM Health Card is changing healthcare in India. This government-run program gives families access to ₹5 lakh of health insurance coverage per year, ensuring they can receive the care they need without spending heavily.

In this blog post, we will explain the PM Health Card program and answer all your questions, from eligibility to how to apply, so you can decide if this program is right for you. 

So, read on!

What is the PM Health Card?

The PM Health Card is an initiative under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), India’s largest health insurance scheme. It aims to make healthcare affordable and accessible for eligible families.

PM-JAY provides free health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per annum. This covers most secondary and tertiary procedures, hospitalisation costs, treatment for pre-existing diseases, and even follow-up care.

This program's underlying objective is to minimise healthcare's economic burden. Medical costs have the potential to exhaust savings, particularly for those belonging to low-income groups. The PM Health Card ensures that patients receive quality treatment without any expenses-related concerns.

This scheme aims at providing access to secondary and tertiary care through empanelled hospitals all over India. A provision exists where government and private hospitals are part of the network.

So, if you are eligible for it, this card can work as an entrance pass to stress-free health care, and no one is left behind during any medical emergency conditions.

Key Benefits of PM Health Card

The PM Health Card is not just a card; it's the hope of life for families across India. Here are some key benefits of the PM Health Card:

• ₹500,000 Coverage: Every family is given health insurance of ₹500,000 per year. That covers almost all the hospitalisation costs, and you are not required to pay that money from your pocket.
• Advanced Treatment Covered: This covers hospitalisation, i.e., the second and third levels of care, so you needn’t worry about the cost of any advanced treatment being done.
• No Member Restriction: Big family? No problem! There are no family size restrictions and no age or gender differences.
• Pre-Existing Conditions Included: This scheme's biggest advantage over most other schemes is that it includes pre-existing diseases from the first day itself.

Who's Eligible for the PM Health Card?

So, you want to know if you’re eligible for this awesome health insurance? Here are some of the main criteria to qualify:

For people in the rural areas: 

• If you live in a simple, one-room house made of mud or other simple material. 
• If there are no adult men in your house. 
• If you or someone in your family is disabled and there isn’t anyone else who can help you out.
• If you belong to a Scheduled Caste or Tribe 

Then, yes, you're likely eligible.

For the people in the urban area? Well, if you are a domestic helper, a street vendor, or someone who keeps our cities clean – you’re covered. If you work in construction or you drive an e-rickshaw or any other kind of vehicle to make your living – you’re eligible.

Provisions for the seniors –

Senior citizens above 70 years of age are eligible for health coverage up to ₹5 lakh per year, regardless of income. This is a great initiative to ensure that our elders get the healthcare they deserve.

Note: If you are already covered under any other Government health scheme, you must choose between that and the PM Health Card.

How to Apply for PM Health Card Online

Applying for the PM Health Card is a straightforward and simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can do it:

• Visit the official PM-JAY website: Start by going to the official website to get things going on with your application process.
• Check your eligibility: You will have to access the online portal and check whether you are eligible.
• Connect with your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC): To apply, you will first have to find the CSC closest to you, and they will assist you in the application process.
• Submit your completed application at the CSC: Visit the CSC and submit your completed application to them.
• Biometric enrolment: You must record your biometrics (fingerprints).
• Submit the documents required: You will be required to submit relevant documents such as an Aadhaar card, proof of address and proof of eligibility.
• Download and print the Ayushman Bharat Card: After your application is approved, you can download and print the health card.

Important Documents Required

• Identity proof: Aadhaar card or any other valid government ID.
• Address proof: A utility bill, Voter ID, or any other government document with your address on it.
• Proof of eligibility: An income certificate or any other document will be needed to verify how poor you are.
• Family details: Details of all family members applying for coverage.

How to Check Your PM Health Card Status Online?

How can I check my Ayushman card status? Don’t worry; it's simple. Here are the steps to check your Ayushman card status. .

Step 1: Open the official website for Ayushman card status: beneficiary.nha.gov.in

Step 2: On the homepage, click on the login button as ‘Beneficiary’.

Step 3: Enter your mobile number and click on Verify. You will receive an OTP. Enter the OTP and the captcha, and click on Login.

Step 4: Then, you will have to select your State, District and the scheme for which you want to track your card. After that, choose the identification method—this could be your Family ID, Aadhaar number, PMJAY ID, or name and location.

Step 5: Finally, click on the ‘Search’ button, and the status of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Card will appear on the computer screen.

List of Empanelled Hospitals under PM-JAY

Finding the empanelled hospitals under Ayushman Bharat is super easy. 

• Just go to the official PMJAY hospital portal: hospitals.pmjay.gov.in.
• On the homepage, you’ll see a tab that says ‘Find Hospital’. Click on it.
• Now, select your state and district.
• You can even filter hospitals by your preference, public or private. Or do you want something specific? Just key in what you need to search for hospitals, districts, specialties, or the hospital name if you know it.

Alternatively, for the complete list, you can go this PDF:

https://nha.gov.in/img/resources/PMJAY-Hospital-List.pdf

Conclusion

The PM Health Card will benefit millions of Indians by allowing them to access good healthcare without the fear of going bankrupt. If you know your eligibility, how to apply, and the benefits, only then can its benefits come to fruition you and your family when needed. 

Therefore, make sure you grasp as much knowledge as possible from this blog!