Ayushman Bharat Health Yojana

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), commonly known as Ayushman Bharat or the National Health Protection Scheme, is a flagship healthcare scheme launched by the Government of India. The scheme aims to provide financial protection and healthcare coverage to vulnerable and economically disadvantaged families across India.

Key features of Ayushman Bharat Health Yojana include:

1. Health Coverage: Ayushman Bharat provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh (approximately $6,800) per family per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare services. The coverage extends to a wide range of medical treatments and procedures, including hospitalization, surgeries, diagnostic tests, medications, and consultations.

2. Target Beneficiaries: The scheme primarily targets vulnerable and economically disadvantaged families identified based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) database. Beneficiary families include those living below the poverty line (BPL) and those identified as economically weaker sections (EWS) of society.

3. Cashless Treatment: Under Ayushman Bharat, eligible beneficiaries can avail of cashless treatment at empaneled public and private hospitals across India. The scheme aims to ensure access to quality healthcare services without the financial burden of out-of-pocket expenses.

4. Empaneled Hospitals: Ayushman Bharat has a network of empaneled hospitals, both public and private, that have agreed to provide healthcare services to beneficiaries at pre-defined package rates. These hospitals undergo a rigorous process of empanelment and quality assessment to ensure compliance with standards of care.

5. Portability: Ayushman Bharat offers portability of benefits, allowing eligible beneficiaries to avail of healthcare services at any empaneled hospital across the country, regardless of their state of residence. This enables greater flexibility and accessibility for beneficiaries seeking medical treatment outside their home state.

6. Technology-driven Implementation: The implementation of Ayushman Bharat involves the use of technology platforms such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and the National Health Authority (NHA) IT system to streamline beneficiary identification, enrollment, claims processing, and monitoring of healthcare services delivery.

7. Focus on Universal Health Coverage: Ayushman Bharat is aligned with the government's broader vision of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in India by ensuring access to affordable and quality healthcare services for all citizens, particularly the marginalized and vulnerable sections of society.

Overall, Ayushman Bharat Health Yojana represents a significant step towards addressing healthcare disparities, enhancing financial protection, and improving access to healthcare services for millions of families in India. By providing comprehensive health coverage, the scheme aims to contribute to better health outcomes and socioeconomic well-being across the country.