The Ayushman Bharat Golden Card, issued under the PM-JAY scheme, provides eligible families with cashless health services at empanelled hospitals. Applying for this card online is quick and straightforward, making healthcare access easier. 

In this guide, we’ll explain the steps to apply, check eligibility, and complete the download process. Whether you're new to the application process or need help with specific steps, this article will walk you through everything necessary to get your Ayushman Golden Card.

Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme in India, the Ayushman Golden Card provides health insurance coverage for eligible families. It offers financial protection against secondary and tertiary healthcare services, including a wide range of medical treatments and procedures, by cashless services within empanelled hospitals throughout the country.

It is distributed under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), also known as Ayushman Bharat. This guarantees easy access to medical treatments without any need for upfront payment. Ayushman Bharat Golden Cards are given to beneficiaries to receive cashless care. The network hospital requires this e-card to confirm eligibility to provide cashless care.

Only people named in the list given by the socio-economic caste census of 2011 who have a Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana card can make a golden card. Further, there are different eligibility criteria for people in rural and urban areas. The list of people who are eligible for the Ayushman Golden Card are:

Eligibilities for People in a Rural Area

• Families living in kaccha houses
• Families with a disabled member and no healthy adult
• Families of manual scavengers
• Families that do not have a house and work as manual labour

Eligibilities for People in an Urban Area

• Domestic workers, tailors, handicraft workers, garden, artisans, sanitation workers
• Hawkers, cobblers, security guards, welders, construction workers, ragpickers, washerman
• Mason, mechanic, beggar, waiter, peon, etc.

Who is Not Included?

While some populations are excluded, the Ayushman Bharat Golden Card seeks to provide access to healthcare for a segment of the population. The PM-JAY Golden Card is not available to people or families in the following categories:

• State and Federal Government workers have healthcare schemes. Thus, they are not covered by this plan.
• This program is not available to those in income groups set by state governments.
• Ayushman Bharat Golden Card is not available to people with health insurance from private policies or employer-sponsored plans.

You must gather and submit the following documents to verify your eligibility for the Ayushman Golden Card. Here are all the mandatory documents you need:

• Proof of Identity: Aadhaar Card/ Voter ID/ driving license/ passport.
• Proof of Address: Ration Card/ electricity or water bill/ lease agreement.
• Proof of Eligibility: SECC identification certificate/ document verifying economic status/evidence of inclusion in any previous govt. Health scheme.
• Family Details: Family photograph/ details of family members (Aadhaar no. age, etc).
• Additional Documents: Bank account details.

Note: Provide your mobile number and email ID for contact purposes.

You must acquire an Ayushman Golden Card to avail the cashless treatment benefits. Here are the steps on how to apply for a Golden Health Card:

• Step 1: Visit the official PMJAY website and log in.
• Step 2: Enter the contact number and the captcha code.
• Step 3: Generate the OTP (One-Time Password) to log in to the website.
• Step 4: Choose the HHD (Household Identification) code and provide this code to the Common Service Centre (CSC). The CSC will verify the HHD code and other necessary details.
• Step 5: Pay a fee of ₹30 and submit the application for the Ayushman Golden Card.

Once the application is complete, your Ayushman Bharat Golden Card will be issued.

Downloading the Ayushman Golden card is a straightforward process. To download an Ayushman Bharat Golden Card, you can: 

• Step 1: Go to the PM-JAY website or use the official app 
• Step 2: Log in using your registered mobile number and complete captcha verification. 
• Step 3: After logging in, choose your state from the dropdown list. 
• Step 4: Enter relevant details, such as ID Number or address, to locate your details in the system.

Step 5: After your details appear, you’ll see an option to download the Ayushman Golden card in PDF format.

Before using your Ayushman Golden Card at a hospital, ensure it is activated. To activate your card, visit a Common Service Centre (CSC) or an empanelled hospital. Bring your Golden Card and a valid form of identification, such as an Aadhaar card or voter ID. After activation, you will receive a confirmation message via SMS.

Once your card is active, you can visit any empanelled hospital in India. At the hospital, present your Golden Card at the registration desk or help desk. Hospital staff will verify your eligibility for cashless treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

You can receive coverage for a wide range of medical services, including hospitalisation and follow-up care related to your treatment. If needed, the plan also supports consultations for ongoing health issues.