How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card?

The Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card makes affordable healthcare available for millions of Indians. Families from all parts of India can access quality health services without any extra charges. In 2024, applying for the Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance card is simplified and user-friendly, and eligible people can easily apply online. 

In this article, you will gain insights into how to apply for the Ayushman card online for free hospital treatments, the documents required to apply, and the process of adding family members to the Ayushman card.

The Ayushman Bharat Scheme issues the Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card. This card provides financial protection against health expenditure and offers secondary and tertiary care up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. 

The card helps the beneficiary get cashless treatment in all the empanelled public and private hospitals in the country. It primarily targets low-income families and will attempt to increase the accessibility of better healthcare services, thus reducing out-of-pocket expenditures with essential medical services.

Applying for an Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card online is a straightforward process. Here are the steps to apply for the Ayushman Bharat card online: 

• Step 1: Visit the official website of PMJAY, i.e., https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/. 
• Step 2: Click the Beneficiary option, then enter the captcha code. Select ‘Auth mode’ and login with OTP and captcha.
• Step 3: After logging in, select state, scheme, district, and other information. Click on ‘Search’ after adding all the details.
• Step 4: List all family members under the Ayushman card list, and you will get all the information.
• Step 5: Check the family’s card status. Add e-KYC of the member for whom the card is made.
• Step 6: Authenticate using your Aadhaar Card number and mobile OTP. 
• Step 7: Enter mobile and member information. Click on ‘Submit’.
• Step 8: A message saying ‘e-KYC Complete’ will appear on your phone. After approval, you can download the Ayushman card.

Providing valid documents is necessary to avail of the card. To apply for an Ayushman Bharat Card, you'll need to provide the following documents:

• *Proof of Identity: Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport, or driver's license
• *Proof of Residence: Ration card, utility bill, or lease agreement
• *Family Details: Names and Aadhaar numbers of family members
• *Income Certificate: Depending on your state's guidelines, you may need to provide this to establish eligibility
• Caste Certificate: Some states may require this for specific categories of beneficiaries
• *Bank Account Details: You'll need this to receive cashless healthcare services
• Mobile Number and Email ID: For contact purposes 

Note: *Mandatory documents are marked as asterisk

The eligibility criteria for rural and urban households differ. To get the Ayushman Bharat card, one must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Eligibility Criteria for Rural Households

Based on six deprivation criteria, the following rural families qualify for the PMJAY scheme:

• D1 - Families living in one room with kucha walls and roof
• D2 - Households with no adult member within the age group of 16-59 years
• D3 - Families with no adult male members within the age group of 16-59 years
• D4 - Households without an able-bodied adult member or with a disabled member
• D5 - SC/ST households
• D6 - Landless households earning a significant part of their family income from manual casual labour

Eligibility Criteria for Urban Households

The following urban households are eligible for the PMJAY scheme based on 11 occupational categories:

• Domestic worker
• Beggar
• Ragpicker
• Home-based workers/ artisans/ tailors/ handicrafts workers 
• Sanitation workers/ sweepers/ mali
• Construction worker/ labour/ painter/ welder/ security guard/ plumber/ coolie/ mason and other head-load workers
• Chowkidar/ washer-man
• Electrician/ mechanic/ assembler/ repair worker
• Transport worker/ rickshaw puller/ conductor/ cart puller/ driver/ helper to drivers and conductors
• Waiter/ shop worker/ assistant/ attendant/ helper/ peon in small establishment/ delivery assistant
• Street vendors/ hawkers/cobblers/ other service providers on the street

Adding a family member to the Ayushman card requires a few simple steps. Follow the steps below to add a new family member as a beneficiary.

• Step 1: Go to the NHA beneficiary portal and log in with your mobile number and OTP.

• Step 2: Search for a beneficiary using ID or location and access your Ayushman Bharat dashboard.
• Step 3: Select the "Add Family Member" option on your dashboard and authenticate yourself using Aadhaar eKYC.
• Step 4: A Family Member Addition Form will open. Enter the basic details of the member, such as name, gender, relation to you, and date of birth.
• Step 5: Choose the ID type, enter the ID number, and upload documents to verify the details. Click on the "Submit" option.

Add a Family Member Through CSC

To add a new member to your Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) card list through CSC, follow these steps:

• Step 1: To update or add family members, visit your nearest Common Service Center (CSC). Ensure you have the following documents for the new member:
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Ration Card
  • Birth Certificate or Age Proof
  • Address Proof
  • Existing Ayushman Bharat card or family details
• Step 2: At the CSC, request the application form to add a new member to your Ayushman Bharat card list.
• Step 3: Submit the filled-out form and the necessary documents to the CSC operator. The CSC operator will verify the provided details and documents.

After verification, the family list will be updated in the system. The newly added member will be linked to the family’s Ayushman Bharat card.

You can check your Ayushman card status online after applying for the card. Check your Ayushman card status online through the following steps:

• Step 1: Visit the website beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
• Step 2: On the main page, click on the Beneficiary option and then fill in the captcha code.
• Step 3: Then, enter the mobile number, OTP received and authentication mode.
• Step 4: Tap on the login button and then select Check Status. Your status will be displayed on the screen, and you check it.

In conclusion, the Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Card offers essential health coverage for low-income families across India. The online application process is easy, making healthcare accessible to millions who need it most.

This card helps families manage medical costs during emergencies, easing financial stress. With minimal paperwork and straightforward eligibility checks, more people can access quality healthcare. Start your application online today to secure a healthier future for your family.