At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the central government included care for Covid-19 in the 'Ayushman Bharat Yojana.' 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana' is another name for 'Ayushman Bharat.'
When India was still battling the first wave of the pandemic, several state governments expanded the scope of this program from providing oxygen to covering the cost of necessary drugs for Covid-19 care.
Ayushman Bharat is the central government's signature health-insurance program for the vulnerable. The Ayushman Bharat Yojana provides health care to 10 crore poor households, impoverished and poorer parts of the society. These households, totaling 50 crore individuals, will get health insurance worth up to Rs 5 lakh a year under this program.
Nevertheless, you must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the program. The following are the same:
Only people with a kuccha residence, no adult (16-59 years) in the family, a woman as the head of the family, a disabled individual in the family, a family from SC/ST, landless, daily wage laborer, poor, tribals, and destitute will apply for the Ayushman Bharat Yojana scheme in rural areas.
Beggars, garbage pickers, maids who work in a store, street sellers, hawkers, plumbers, masons, labourers, painters, welders, security guards, porters, sweepers, cyclists, rickshaw pullers, and security guards will all benefit from the Ayushman Bharat scheme in urban areas.
As per a circular issued in March 2020, Covid-19 care and testing will be given at no cost in any of the private hospitals that have been approved for the program. Along with government hospitals, private hospitals have been empanelled under this system.
Almost all kinds of illnesses, including cancer surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, heart surgery, neuro (brain) surgery, spinal surgery, oral surgery, eye surgery, and special examinations including MRI and CT scans, are provided by this health plan.
Covid-19 symptoms include a chill, cough, or fever, which can be diagnosed using RT-PCR tests. To take advantage of the Ayushman Bharat scheme's benefits, an individual must be admitted to a hospital for at least one day. You will also benefit from the scheme if you are positive for Covid-19 and have been admitted to a hospital.
Are you, though, qualified to qualify for the program? The eligibility requirements for the Ayushman Bharat Yojana can be found on the website www.pmjay.gov.in or by contacting the helplines 14555 and 1800111565.
If you are fit, you will be treated for Covid-19 at one of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana's private hospitals. This insurance would also cover quarantine at a private hospital.
Although the poor would get free care at government hospitals, the scheme's aim was to include private hospitals as well. Through searching online or calling the helpline numbers, you will find out which hospitals in your area are part of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.
You will be supported by a "Ayushman Mitra or Arogya Mitra" in that hospital after you have determined your eligibility and the hospital affiliated with the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. "Ayushman Mitra or Arogya Mitra" will assist you with hospital entry.
To receive benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, the entitled individual must present an e-card proving his or her eligibility. He would be required to display identification papers such as an Aadhaar card, a voter ID card, or a ration card.
Treatment and medications are given free of charge under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana for three days before and 15 days after hospitalization. The scheme includes a total of 1,393 packages to include the ICU, laboratory testing, hospital stay, and nutritional costs, among other things.
