health & medical insurance
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) - Health Insurance for All
Complete guide to Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme: ₹5 lakh annual coverage, eligibility, e-card process, and hospital empanelment for 2026.
Last Updated: 13 March 2026
Overview
Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): Your Essential Health Guide
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is a government-funded health insurance scheme designed to ensure that no family goes into debt due to medical emergencies. Think of it as a "Free ₹5 Lakh Health Wallet" provided by the government to help you pay for expensive hospital surgeries and treatments.
💫Key Benefits: What do you get?
₹5 Lakh Yearly Cover: Every year, your family gets up to ₹5 lakh to spend on hospital bills.
Cashless Treatment: You don’t need to pay cash at the hospital. The government pays the hospital directly.
No "Waiting Period": Unlike private insurance, if you already have a disease (like Diabetes or Heart issues) when you join, it is covered from Day 1.
Complete Coverage: It pays for the doctor's fee, surgeries, medicines, lab tests, and even your food while in the hospital.
Pre & Post Hospitalization: It covers costs from 3 days before you are admitted and up to 15 days after you are discharged.
💫 Major Treatments Covered
The scheme covers over 1,900+ procedures, including:
Heart Surgeries: Stents, bypass, and valve replacements.
Cancer Care: Chemotherapy and radiation.
Orthopedics: Knee or hip replacements and fracture surgeries.
Kidney Issues: Dialysis and related treatments.
Note: This scheme is completely free. You do not need to pay any "entry fee" or "monthly premium" to any agent to get this card.
Who is Eligible?
- Families in rural areas deprived per SECC 2011 (no adult member 16-59, or manual scavenger, etc.)
- Urban workers like ragpickers, construction laborers, domestic workers
- SC/ST households in rural areas
- No family member is income tax payer or govt employee
- Automatic inclusion for 10.74 crore families;
- others check via portal
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card (mandatory)
- Ration Card or Voter ID
- Bank Account Passbook
- PM-JAY e-card (generated online)
- Hospital ID proof at admission
How to Apply
- 1Step 1: Visit pmjay.gov.in or call 14555/1800-111-565 to check eligibility by Aadhaar/mobile.
- 2Step 2: Generate e-card online or at PM-JAY kiosk/Common Service Center.
- 3Step 3: Visit nearest empaneled public/private hospital.
- 4Step 4: Show e-card/Aadhaar for verification.
- 5Step 5: Get cashless treatment; hospital handles claims.
- 6Step 6: Track claims/status via portal/app.