Free Treatment up to ₹5 Lakh In a major step towards ensuring affordable healthcare for all, the Government of India has rolled out a revolutionary health insurance initiative that offers free medical treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. This program, often referred to as the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), is a lifeline for millions of low and middle-income families across the country.
If you or your family members are eligible, you can get access to high-quality healthcare services — including surgeries, hospitalization, and critical care — without paying a single rupee at empaneled hospitals. Here’s everything you need to know about this scheme, eligibility criteria, and the step-by-step application process.
🌿 What is the Ayushman Bharat Health Scheme?
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) was launched by the Government of India in 2018 with the vision of “Health for All.” Under this scheme, each eligible family gets cashless medical coverage of ₹5 lakh per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
It is the world’s largest government-funded health assurance program, designed especially for economically weaker sections who often struggle with medical expenses. Free Treatment up to ₹5 Lakh
💡 Key Features of the Scheme
- Coverage Amount: Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospitalization and medical treatments.
- Beneficiaries: More than 10 crore families (approximately 50 crore citizens) are eligible across India.
- Cashless Treatment: Patients don’t need to pay any money at empaneled hospitals.
- Nationwide Network: Over 25,000 government and private hospitals are part of the scheme.
- Portability: The scheme is applicable anywhere in India, even if you are away from your home state.
- Pre-existing Conditions Covered: All diseases, even pre-existing ones, are included from day one.
- Paperless Process: Digital ID cards and e-KYC make enrollment and hospital admission hassle-free.
🏥 Types of Treatments Covered
The Ayushman Bharat scheme covers over 1,500 medical procedures across multiple specializations, including:
- Cardiac surgeries (heart operations)
- Kidney and liver diseases
- Orthopedic treatments (joint replacements, fractures)
- Cancer treatment and chemotherapy
- Maternity and newborn care
- Neurological and brain surgeries
- Emergency and trauma care
- ENT, dental, and ophthalmology surgeries
Every empaneled hospital has a list of approved procedures, ensuring transparency and standard treatment quality.
👨👩👧👦 Who Is Eligible for Free ₹5 Lakh Treatment?
Eligibility is determined based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data.
Here’s who can avail of the scheme:
In Rural Areas:
- Families living in kutcha houses (temporary shelters).
- Households with no adult male member between 16 and 59 years.
- Families belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST).
- Landless households depending on manual labor for income.
- Families with disabled members and no able-bodied adults.
In Urban Areas:
- Street vendors, rickshaw pullers, domestic workers, sanitation workers.
- Construction laborers, plumbers, electricians, drivers, and other low-income earners.
If your family is included in the SECC database or holds a ration card linked with PMJAY, you are most likely eligible.
🪪 How to Check Your Name in the Beneficiary List
To find out whether you’re eligible for the ₹5 lakh free treatment benefit:
- Visit the official website: https://pmjay.gov.in
- Click on “Am I Eligible” on the homepage.
- Enter your mobile number or ration card number.
- Verify through OTP.
- The website will show whether your family is covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Free Treatment up to ₹5 Lakh Alternatively, you can visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or contact the Ayushman Mitra at any empaneled hospital for assistance.
📱 How to Apply for the Scheme (Step-by-Step)
If you’re eligible but haven’t yet registered, here’s how to apply for the free ₹5 lakh treatment scheme:
Step 1: Visit the Nearest CSC or PMJAY Center
Take your Aadhaar card, ration card, and family details to your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or Ayushman Bharat Enrollment Center.
Step 2: Verification of Eligibility
Officials will check your eligibility based on SECC data and confirm if your family is listed under the scheme.
Step 3: Submit Required Documents
You’ll need:
- Aadhaar Card of all family members
- Ration Card
- Mobile Number
- Address Proof
Step 4: Biometric Authentication
Once your details are verified, biometric authentication (fingerprint or iris scan) will be done to confirm your identity.
Step 5: Receive Ayushman Bharat Golden Card
After successful registration, you’ll receive the Ayushman Bharat Golden Card — your key to cashless healthcare.
Keep this card safe; it’s required for hospital admissions under the scheme.
🏨 How to Get Free Treatment Using Your Golden Card
- Visit any empaneled hospital (government or private).
- Show your Ayushman Bharat Golden Card and Aadhaar Card.
- Hospital staff or “Ayushman Mitra” will verify your details online.
- Once approved, you can get cashless treatment for any covered medical procedure.
- After treatment, the government directly settles the hospital bill.
No middlemen, no hidden charges — just quality healthcare for all.
⚙️ Helpline Numbers for Assistance
If you face any issues or want to check your eligibility offline, contact:
- National Helpline: 14555
- Alternate Toll-Free Number: 1800-111-565
- Or visit your nearest government hospital with an Ayushman helpdesk.
💬 Real Impact on People’s Lives
Since its launch, millions of families have already benefited from this initiative. Many patients who could not afford expensive surgeries earlier are now able to receive timely and quality treatment. From heart operations to cancer therapies, the scheme is literally saving lives.
The success of this program highlights India’s commitment to building a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive society.
🌏 Conclusion
The Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme is a game-changer in India’s healthcare system. With free treatment coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family, it ensures that no one is deprived of medical care due to financial constraints.
If you haven’t yet checked your eligibility or applied, do it today. A few minutes of your time could save you lakhs in medical costs and ensure a healthier future for your loved ones.
✅ Quick Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) |
| Benefit | Free medical treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family/year |
| Eligibility | Based on SECC 2011 data |
| Apply Online | https://pmjay.gov.in |
| Helpline | 14555 / 1800-111-565 |
| Key Document | Ayushman Bharat Golden Card |
