The government runs several welfare programmes aimed at improving access to essential services for eligible citizens. Among the major healthcare initiatives is the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), which provides eligible beneficiaries with cashless hospitalisation benefits under the scheme.

Under PM-JAY, eligible families can receive health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for specified secondary and tertiary hospitalisation services. Treatment can be accessed at hospitals empanelled under the scheme, subject to PM-JAY rules and approved treatment packages.

However, simply wanting an Ayushman Card does not automatically make someone eligible. Before trying to generate the card, applicants should first check whether they are covered under the applicable beneficiary criteria.

What Benefits Are Available With an Ayushman Card?

An Ayushman Card helps an eligible beneficiary establish their identity under PM-JAY and access covered healthcare services at participating hospitals.

The scheme provides health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per eligible family per year for covered hospitalisation expenses. Eligible beneficiaries can receive cashless treatment for approved packages at empanelled public and private hospitals.

The ₹5 lakh limit applies according to the scheme's coverage rules and should not be interpreted as a direct cash payment of ₹5 lakh to every cardholder.

The scheme covers a range of hospitalisation-related procedures and treatments. However, whether a particular treatment is covered depends on the applicable PM-JAY package and other scheme conditions.

Who Is Eligible for an Ayushman Card?

Eligibility for PM-JAY is determined according to the beneficiary database and applicable government criteria. It is therefore better to check your status through an authorised platform instead of assuming eligibility based only on income or financial circumstances.

Coverage may also vary where states operate PM-JAY in combination with their own health assurance schemes or have expanded beneficiary categories.

There is also a separate important provision for senior citizens: under the government's expansion of Ayushman Bharat, citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible for health coverage under the applicable rules irrespective of income, with specific provisions governing how the benefit operates.

Applicants should therefore check the category that applies to them.

How to Check Ayushman Card Eligibility Online

Checking eligibility should be the first step before attempting to create an Ayushman Card.

Visit the official Ayushman Bharat/PM-JAY beneficiary platform and use the available beneficiary-search or eligibility-checking facility.

You may be asked to provide a mobile number and other details to complete authentication. Depending on the available search options, additional information may be required to identify the beneficiary record.

After completing the verification process, check whether your name or family details appear as eligible under the scheme.

If your record is available and you meet the applicable requirements, you can proceed with the card-generation process.

How to Make an Ayushman Card Online

Eligible beneficiaries can use authorised digital channels, including the official beneficiary platform or supported Ayushman application, to complete the Ayushman Card process where the facility is available.

The process generally involves locating the eligible beneficiary record, completing the required authentication or e-KYC and verifying the requested personal information.

Once the required verification has been successfully completed and the card is approved/generated, the beneficiary can access the digital Ayushman Card.

The exact steps displayed on the platform can change as digital services are updated, so users should follow the latest instructions shown on the official government system.

You Can Also Get Help Offline

People who are uncomfortable completing the process online can seek assistance through authorised offline channels.

A nearby Common Service Centre (CSC) may help with beneficiary identification, verification and the card-generation process where the relevant service is available.

Assistance may also be available through facilities associated with the scheme, depending on local arrangements.

Applicants should carry the documents and identification details required for their particular case. The information provided must match the beneficiary records used for verification.

Where Can You Use an Ayushman Card?

Having an Ayushman Card does not mean that covered treatment can be obtained at every hospital in India.

The hospital generally needs to be empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY network for beneficiaries to access the scheme's cashless treatment facility.

Before planning treatment, patients or family members should check whether the selected hospital participates in the scheme and whether the required treatment falls under an applicable PM-JAY package.

This is particularly important when arranging a planned procedure rather than emergency care.

Is Every Medical Expense Covered?

No. The ₹5 lakh health-cover figure should not be interpreted as unlimited reimbursement for every healthcare expense.

Benefits are governed by PM-JAY rules and approved treatment packages. Coverage primarily relates to eligible secondary and tertiary hospitalisation services under the scheme.

Patients should confirm coverage with the hospital's Ayushman help desk or authorised scheme channel before undergoing planned treatment whenever possible.

Be Careful of Fraudulent Ayushman Card Offers

Beneficiaries should use only authorised government channels and recognised service centres when checking eligibility or generating their card.

Never share OTPs, banking passwords, UPI PINs or other sensitive financial information with someone claiming that payment is required to “guarantee” eligibility.

Most importantly, remember that an Ayushman Card does not itself create eligibility. Your eligibility must first exist under the applicable government beneficiary criteria. Once confirmed, completing the required verification and generating the card can allow you to access covered cashless treatment at participating hospitals under PM-JAY.