The Ayushman Bharat Golden Card, also known as the Ayushman Gold Card or PMJAY Golden Card, is a crucial component of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). Launched by the Government of India, this initiative aims to provide free and accessible healthcare services to over 50 crore beneficiaries, especially those from economically weaker sections. The Golden Card acts as a key to unlock a range of medical benefits, including cashless treatment at empaneled hospitals. This guide will walk you through the process of applying for the Ayushman Bharat Golden Card online, ensuring you understand the eligibility criteria, required documents, and steps to avoid common mistakes during the application process.
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What is the Ayushman Bharat Golden Card?
The Ayushman Bharat Golden Card is a digital health card issued under the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. This card enables beneficiaries to avail themselves of healthcare services worth up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year at no cost. It covers a vast spectrum of medical treatments, from secondary to tertiary care, across a network of empaneled public and private hospitals in India. The Golden Card simplifies access to healthcare services, making it easier for underprivileged families to receive necessary treatments without financial burdens.
Read more: How to download Ayushman card?
Eligibility criteria for Ayushman Bharat Golden card
To apply for the Ayushman Bharat Golden Card, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria. The scheme primarily targets economically vulnerable groups identified based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data. Here’s a detailed look at who qualifies:
Rural families
- Families with no adult member between the ages of 16 and 59.
- Households with only one room with makeshift walls and roof.
- Families without a literate adult member above 25 years.
- Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
- Landless families relying on manual labor for livelihood.
Urban families
- Workers engaged in hazardous cleaning jobs.
- Rag pickers, beggars, domestic workers.
- Street vendors, cobblers, hawkers, and other self-employed individuals.
- Artisans, handicraft workers, tailors, and people working in unorganised sectors.
Additional criteria
- Homeless individuals and those living in makeshift arrangements.
- Families dependent on charity or alms.
- Elderly with no income support.
- Beneficiaries are automatically included if they meet any of the aforementioned criteria.
Additionally, those already covered under previous government health schemes may also be eligible.
Explore: List of government health schemes in India
Benefits of the Ayushman Bharat Golden card
The Ayushman Bharat Golden card provides a myriad of benefits that significantly enhance healthcare accessibility for eligible families:
1. Cashless treatment:
The Ayushman Bharat Golden card enables beneficiaries to receive cashless treatment for various medical procedures at any empaneled hospital across India. This eliminates the need for upfront payment, ensuring seamless access to healthcare services.
2. Comprehensive coverage:
The card provides comprehensive coverage for both secondary and tertiary healthcare services. This includes surgeries, critical treatments, and necessary consultations, offering all-encompassing protection for various health issues.
3. High financial support:
Each family is entitled to coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per year under the scheme. This financial assistance can be used for a wide range of medical expenses, significantly reducing the burden of healthcare costs.
4. Wide network of hospitals:
Beneficiaries have access to a broad network of empaneled public and private hospitals. This ensures that quality healthcare services are easily available, no matter where they are located in India.
6. No age or family size limit:
The scheme places no restrictions on age or family size, providing extensive coverage for all family members, regardless of their age or the number of people in the household.
7. Pre-existing conditions:
One of the key benefits is that pre-existing conditions are covered from the very first day of policy activation, allowing beneficiaries immediate access to treatment without waiting periods.
8. Ease of use:
The Ayushman Bharat Golden card is designed for simplicity, with user-friendly processes for hospital admissions and treatments. This ease of use ensures that beneficiaries can access healthcare without complicated paperwork or delays.
