The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) will be implemented in Odisha by the end of the current financial year, as announced by Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling. This initiative will provide health coverage to approximately 3.5 crore of Odisha’s 4.5 crore residents, including those aged 70 and above. The state has set aside Rs. 3,500 crore for the scheme and is coordinating with the Union Health Ministry to identify beneficiaries and issue health cards. Odisha’s existing health assurance program, the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (G-JAY), will be integrated with AB-PMJAY, allowing beneficiaries to use a single health card. This integration greatly expands healthcare access in Odisha, increasing empanelled hospitals from about 950 to nearly 27,000 nationwide, thereby providing broader options for citizens seeking medical services.
Purpose of Ayushman Bharat Odisha
Here are the key purposes of Ayushman Bharat in Odisha:
- The primary purpose of the scheme is to provide health insurance to around 3.5 crore residents, ensuring access to necessary medical services.
- The scheme aims to help low-income families save on healthcare costs, ensuring they have financial security during medical emergencies.
- The scheme aims to facilitate the identification of beneficiaries through coordination with the Union Health Ministry.
- The aim of the scheme is to enhance overall health outcomes in the state by providing timely access to quality healthcare services.
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When Ayushman Bharat Odisha will Start?
- Ayushman Bharat in Odisha is set to start by the end of the current financial year, with preparations already underway to implement the scheme and issue health cards to beneficiaries by that time.
Short Summary of Ayushman Bharat Odisha
| Name of the Scheme | Ayushman Bharat Odisha 2024 |
| Initiated By | Government of Odisha |
| Implementation Start Date | By the end of the current financial year (March 2025) |
| Target Population | Approximately 3.5 crore residents of Odisha, including citizens aged 70 and above |
| Budget Allocation | Rs. 3,500 crore |
| Health Card Issuance | Health cards to be issued to beneficiaries by the end of the current financial year |
| Objective | To provide comprehensive health coverage and financial protection to low-income families in Odisha |
| Empanelled Hospitals | Expansion from about 950 to nearly 27,000 hospitals nationwide for better access to healthcare |
| Financial Protection | Aims to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for low-income families |
| Integration | Integration of Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (G-JAY) with AB-PMJAY, allowing a single health card |
| Elderly Coverage | Specific inclusion of individuals aged 70 and above to ensure their healthcare needs are met |
| Treatment Type | Cashless treatment in empanelled government and private hospitals |
| Form of Benefit | Health Insurance Coverage |
| Mode of Application | To be released soon |
| Official Website | To be released soon |
Eligibility Criteria
Here are the eligibility criteria for the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha:
- Applicant must be a permanent resident of Odisha.
- Citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible.
- Targeted primarily at low-income families.
- No family member over the age of 16 should have any income.
- Annual income must be less than Rs. 2.5 lakh.
- Families without any health insurance coverage can qualify for the scheme.
- Those already enrolled in the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (G-JAY) may also be eligible for the integrated benefits.
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Benefits of Ayushman Bharat
Here are the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat, which are as follows:
- The scheme provides health insurance of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
- Access to nearly 27,000 empanelled hospitals across the country for treatment.
- It reduces out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare, promoting financial security for low-income families.
- Covers a range of medical procedures and treatments at no cost to beneficiaries.
- It simplifies access to healthcare services through a unified health card.
- Prioritizes coverage for elderly citizens and underprivileged families.
- Treatment costs are settled directly with hospitals, eliminating the need for upfront payments.
- Promotes awareness and access to preventive healthcare services.
Required Documents
To avail of the benefits under the scheme, candidates should have the following documents:
- Aadhaar Card
- Proof of Age
- Address Proof
- Income Certificate
- Bank Statement
- Passport Size Photograph
- Mobile Number
Application Process (Expected)
The application process we are sharing applies to states where the Ayushman Bharat scheme is already active. When the Odisha government launches the scheme, it is expected that this will be the application procedure, though no official notification has been released yet. The expected procedure includes the following steps:
Step 1: Visit the official Ayushman Bharat website to start your application.
Step 2: Enter your mobile number and the OTP sent to you to log in.
Step 3: Find your details using your state, district, scheme name (PMJAY), PMJAY ID, Family ID, or Aadhaar number.
Step 4: Click the “Action” button to begin your application.
Step 5: Use your Aadhaar OTP to verify your identity and upload a recent photo.
Step 6: Enter your mobile number, date of birth, PIN code, district, and village.
Step 7: Click the “Submit” button to finish your application. Your card will be processed, and you can download it once approved.
FAQs
What is the Ayushman Bharat scheme?
Ayushman Bharat is a health insurance scheme that provides financial coverage for medical treatments to low-income families in India.
Who is eligible for the scheme?
Eligibility includes families with an annual income below Rs. 2.5 lakh, no earning member over 16 years, and individuals aged 70 years or older.
How can I apply for the Ayushman Card?
You can apply by visiting the official website beneficiary.nha.gov.in and following the application steps.
What benefits does the scheme provide?
The scheme covers up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for hospitalization and treatment across a wide network of hospitals.
Is treatment cashless under this scheme?
Yes, treatment costs are settled directly with the hospitals, allowing for cashless treatment.
Can I get treatment in any hospital?
Beneficiaries can avail services at any empanelled hospital under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
How often can I use the benefits?
The benefits can be used multiple times within the financial year, up to the limit of Rs. 5 lakh.