look news india
A major digital upgrade has been done at the administrative level for ‘Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’ (AB-PMJAY), run by the Government of India with the aim of providing quality health services to the poor, middle class and senior citizens of the country. Now eligible beneficiaries will not have to wait for weeks to get their Ayushman Golden Card made. Through the National Health Authority (NHA)’s state-of-the-art portal, Aadhaar face-authentication and automated e-KYC system, the Ayushman card is now digitally approved and available for download within just 24 hours of completion of the application process. Under this scheme, each eligible family is assured cashless and completely free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year in government and empaneled private hospitals across the country.
This health protection scheme of the Central Government is one of the largest government financed health insurance schemes in the world. Beneficiaries get many important facilities through this card:
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Annual free treatment worth ₹5,00,000: Families joining the scheme get completely cashless secondary and tertiary care hospitalization up to Rs 5 lakh per year.
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Cover for pre-existing diseases from day one: Unlike many private insurance policies, Ayushman Bharat Yojana covers chronic diseases (like heart disease, cancer, kidney disorders, complications related to diabetes) from day one as soon as the card is made.
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Medicines, tests and food expenses included: This covers the cost of medicines, diagnostic tests (lab tests) and hospital stay for 3 days before hospitalization and 15 days after discharge.
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Portability feature: If you live in any state, you can use this card in the listed private or government hospitals located in any state across the country.
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Special extension for senior citizens: The provision of additional protection has also been added under Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above without income limit.
Before applying for Ayushman Card, it is necessary to ensure whether your or your family’s name is registered in the database of the scheme or not. The scheme operates on the basis of Social, Economic and Caste Census (SECC 2011) and National Food Security Act (NFSA) ration card database.
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Visit the official portal: First of all visit the official beneficiary portal beneficiary.nha.gov.in or download ‘Ayushman App’ from Google Play Store.
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Login Process: Select ‘Beneficiary’ option on the portal, enter your 10 digit active mobile number and login through the OTP received.
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Search data: Select State, Scheme (PMJAY), District and then enter your Aadhar Number, Family ID (Ration Card Number) or Name and click on Search.
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Status Check: The names of all your family members will appear on the screen. If there is green next to the name then the card is already active; If it is yellow or gray in color and the option of ‘Action/eKYC’ is visible, then you can get the card made immediately.
Through the new digital interface, any person can now complete the e-KYC process from home using their smartphone:
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Step 1 – Selecting e-KYC: Click on the ‘e-KYC’ button given next to the name of the family member whose card is to be made.
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Step 2 – Select an authentication medium: For verification, choose the option of Aadhaar OTP, fingerprint or face-authentication with mobile camera (Aadhaar FaceRD App). Submit the 6 digit OTP received on the mobile linked to Aadhaar.
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Step 3 – Capture Live Photo: The system will ask for a live selfie that matches the applicant’s Aadhaar profile by more than 80 percent. Capture live photos by blinking in front of the camera.
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Step 4 – Fill in additional information: Cross-check the basic information like mobile number, year of birth, pin code and rural/urban area and click on ‘Submit’.
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Step 5 – Approval and Download: If there is more than 80% matching between Aadhaar data and ration card data, auto-approval is triggered. Generally, within 2 to 24 hours, your Ayushman card is digitally verified and ready, which can be instantly downloaded in PDF format from the same portal.
If an applicant does not have a smartphone or the OTP is not coming due to the mobile number not being linked to the Aadhaar card, then they can resort to offline means:
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Nearest CSC or Jan Seva Kendra: Visit the nearest Common Service Center with your original Aadhar Card and Ration Card. There the VLE will complete your e-KYC through biometric fingerprint or iris scanner.
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Ayushman Mitra in government hospital: The card can be made within 24 hours with the help of Ayushman Mitra by visiting the ‘Ayushman Help Center’ of any district hospital, community health center (CHC) or listed private hospital.
This prompt and modern initiative of the Government has provided the greatest relief to those poor and needy families who require immediate treatment in case of any emergency illness.