Ayushman Bharat, also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), is a flagship health insurance scheme launched by the Government of India to provide financial protection to over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families, covering approximately 50 crore beneficiaries. The scheme offers a health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. Ayushman Bharat aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and is designed to address the healthcare system holistically, covering prevention, promotion, and ambulatory care at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.

The scheme was launched on September 23, 2018, by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. It is the world’s largest health insurance/assurance scheme, fully financed by the government. Ayushman Bharat is part of a two-pronged approach under the umbrella of Ayushman Bharat, which also includes the establishment of Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services.

As of February 19, 2024, there are 38,414,387 Ayushman Cards issued, and the scheme has benefited 507,000 treatments for the beneficiaries. There are 500 empaneled private hospitals and 500 empaneled government hospitals

To apply for an Ayushman Card, individuals can visit the Ayushman Bharat website or their respective state’s health agency website. The scheme also provides a defined transport allowance per hospitalization and covers pre-existing conditions from day one.