Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a flagship health insurance scheme launched by the Government of India to provide financial protection and healthcare coverage to vulnerable and economically disadvantaged families across the country. The scheme was announced in September 2018 as a part of Ayushman Bharat, which encompasses two major health initiatives – Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) and AB-PMJAY.
Key Features of Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana:
1. Universal Health Coverage: AB-PMJAY aims to provide health coverage to over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families in India, covering approximately 50 crore beneficiaries. Each eligible family is entitled to receive health insurance benefits under the scheme.
2. Cashless Treatment: One of the significant features of the scheme is that it offers cashless treatment to beneficiaries. This means that eligible individuals can avail of medical treatments and hospitalization without having to pay upfront at the time of service.
3. Health Insurance Coverage: Under AB-PMJAY, eligible beneficiaries are covered for a wide range of medical services and treatments, including surgeries, diagnostics, medications, and hospitalization expenses.
4. No Cap on Family Size: The scheme covers families with a specified Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) score. There is no restriction on the family size, and all members of the eligible family are entitled to coverage.
5. Empaneled Hospitals: The scheme has a network of empaneled public and private hospitals and healthcare providers across India. Beneficiaries can access medical services from any of these empaneled hospitals.
Coverage and Benefits of Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana:
1. Financial Coverage: Under AB-PMJAY, eligible families are covered for up to ₹5 lakhs per family per year. This coverage amount is intended to provide financial protection against catastrophic health expenses that can lead to impoverishment.
2. Medical and Hospitalization Expenses: The scheme covers medical expenses related to hospitalization, surgeries, pre and post-hospitalization care, diagnostics, and other eligible treatments.
3. Pre-existing Conditions: AB-PMJAY covers pre-existing conditions, ensuring that beneficiaries receive medical treatment for existing health issues.
4. Alliance with State Health Insurance Schemes: The scheme collaborates with existing state health insurance schemes, where applicable, to ensure a seamless extension of benefits.
Eligibility Criteria:
The eligibility criteria for Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) are based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data. The scheme aims to provide health coverage to economically disadvantaged families and individuals. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
1. Identification under SECC Data: The first step in determining eligibility is to identify families based on the SECC data. The SECC is a comprehensive survey that identifies households based on certain socio-economic parameters.
2. Deprivation Criteria: Families falling under specific deprivation categories such as households without a shelter, those living in one-room makeshift houses, or households with no adult member between 16 to 59 years are considered automatically eligible.
3. Exclusions: Certain categories of families are excluded from the scheme, such as households having a motorized vehicle, families with members working in government jobs, and income tax-paying households.
4. Urban and Rural Areas: The scheme covers both urban and rural areas. Eligible families in both categories are entitled to the benefits.
5. No Income Criteria: Unlike some other social welfare schemes, Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana does not have any income criteria for eligibility. It focuses primarily on identifying vulnerable families based on socio-economic indicators.
Empaneled Hospitals and Service Delivery:
Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana has a network of empaneled hospitals and healthcare providers across India. These empaneled hospitals play a crucial role in delivering medical services to the beneficiaries. Here are the key points related to empaneled hospitals and service delivery:
1. Public and Private Hospitals: The scheme includes both public and private hospitals and healthcare facilities in its network. Empanelment of private hospitals allows beneficiaries to access quality healthcare services from a diverse range of healthcare providers.
2. Empanelment Process: Hospitals interested in participating in the scheme need to undergo an empanelment process with the implementing agency at the state or district level. The hospitals need to meet specific criteria and standards set by the government to be part of the network.
3. Rates and Packages: The scheme has predefined rates and packages for various medical treatments and services. Empaneled hospitals are expected to follow these rates for the services they provide to beneficiaries under the scheme.
4. Cashless Service: Beneficiaries receive cashless treatment at empaneled hospitals. They do not need to pay any out-of-pocket expenses at the time of availing medical services covered under the scheme.
Cashless Treatment and E-cards:
One of the key features of Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is the provision of cashless treatment to beneficiaries. Here’s how cashless treatment and e-cards work under the scheme:
1. Cashless Treatment Facility: Under AB-PMJAY, eligible beneficiaries can avail of cashless treatment at empaneled hospitals. This means that beneficiaries do not need to make any out-of-pocket payments for the medical services covered under the scheme. The insurance company settles the payment directly with the hospital.
2. Ayushman Bharat E-cards: Each eligible family receives an Ayushman Bharat e-card, also known as the PM-JAY e-card. This card serves as the identity and entitlement proof for beneficiaries. It contains essential details, including the unique identification number and personal information of the beneficiaries.
3. Identification at Empaneled Hospitals: When a beneficiary seeks medical treatment at an empaneled hospital, they need to present their Ayushman Bharat e-card for verification. The hospital verifies the beneficiary’s eligibility online using the unique identification number or other details on the e-card.
4. Paperless and Digital Process: The use of e-cards makes the entire process paperless and more efficient. It eliminates the need for physical documents and simplifies the verification process at hospitals.
5. Portability of E-cards: The Ayushman Bharat e-cards are portable, which means beneficiaries can use them to avail of cashless treatment in any empaneled hospital across the country. This portability ensures that beneficiaries can access healthcare services even when they are away from their home state.
Health Insurance vs. Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana:
Health Insurance:
- Scope of Coverage: Health insurance is a broader concept that involves various types of insurance plans, including individual health insurance, family health insurance, and group health insurance. It covers medical expenses, hospitalization costs, and other healthcare-related expenses for policyholders and their dependents.
- Premiums and Customization: Health insurance plans are offered by private insurance companies, and the premiums are based on factors such as age, health condition, coverage amount, and additional benefits. Policyholders can choose plans with different coverage levels and add-ons to suit their specific needs.
- Income and Demographics: Health insurance is available to individuals across different income groups and demographics. Premiums may vary based on factors like income, occupation, and lifestyle.
- Pre-existing Conditions: Health insurance policies may have waiting periods for pre-existing conditions, during which coverage for these conditions may be limited or excluded.
- Cashless and Reimbursement: Health insurance provides either cashless treatment at network hospitals or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at non-network hospitals.
- Pan India Coverage: Health insurance policies offer coverage across India and sometimes internationally, depending on the type of plan.
Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana:
- Targeted Beneficiaries: AB-PMJAY specifically targets economically disadvantaged families identified under the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data.
- Universal Coverage: The scheme covers up to ₹5 lakhs per eligible family per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare services.
- No Premiums: Beneficiaries do not have to pay any premium to avail the benefits of Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana.
- Pre-existing Conditions: Unlike many health insurance plans, AB-PMJAY covers pre-existing conditions from day one, ensuring immediate access to healthcare for existing health issues.
- Cashless Treatment: Beneficiaries receive cashless treatment at empaneled hospitals, eliminating the need for upfront payments at the time of service.
- Government-Backed Scheme: Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana is a government-sponsored scheme aimed at providing healthcare coverage to vulnerable families.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Is Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana available for all citizens of India?
Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana specifically targets economically disadvantaged families identified under the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data. It aims to provide healthcare coverage to over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families in India.
2. Is Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana limited to government hospitals?
No, Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana includes both public and private empaneled hospitals. Beneficiaries can access cashless treatment at any empaneled hospital across the country.
3. Can beneficiaries avail treatment outside their home state under Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana?
Yes, Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana offers portability, allowing beneficiaries to avail of cashless treatment in any empaneled hospital across the country, irrespective of their location.
Conclusion:
Health insurance and Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana serve different purposes and cater to distinct target groups. Health insurance, offered by private insurers, provides coverage to individuals and families across income groups, with varying premium amounts based on individual needs and customization. On the other hand, Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana is a government-sponsored scheme with universal coverage, specifically targeting economically disadvantaged families. It offers cashless treatment to beneficiaries at empaneled hospitals, without any premium payment.
Read More:
- Post Office Savings Account: Benefits and How to Open an Account
- 7 Simple Ways to Start Saving for a Bright Future
- How can I grow my savings fast?
- Saving Account: Types, Interest rates, and eligibility criteria
