Latest news with #AyushmanBharatPradhanMantriJanArogyaYojana
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Worried about medical bills? Free online consults, hospital cover for 70+
For many elderly Indians, visiting a doctor can be both physically challenging and financially draining. But what if you could consult a qualified doctor from the comfort of your home and that too, for free? The government's e-Sanjeevani platform is making this possible, offering seniors easy access to medical advice without stepping out. Alongside, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has been expanded to cover citizens aged 70 and above, providing free hospitalisation for critical care. Together, these initiatives can help elderly individuals manage healthcare costs better and preserve their savings. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you or an elderly family member make the most of these schemes. e-Sanjeevani: Free doctor consultations online The e-Sanjeevani telemedicine service is designed to connect patients with doctors through video calls. For seniors who may struggle with travel or wish to avoid crowded hospital environments, it's a practical solution. Why it's useful · Cuts down on travel time and expenses. · Reduces the risk of exposure to infections in clinics or hospitals. · Offers e-prescriptions that can be used to buy medicines directly. Step-by-step guide to register 1. Go online: Visit or download the e-Sanjeevani app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. 2. Start registration: Click on 'Patient Registration'. 3. Enter your mobile number: Request an OTP and verify it. 4. Fill in details: Provide name, date of birth, gender, and address. 5. Receive Patient ID: You'll get a patient ID via SMS. 6. Book a consultation: Log in, request a token, and wait for the video call with a doctor. Ayushman Bharat: Free hospitalisation for those aged 70 and above For medical emergencies or hospital stays, the Ayushman Bharat scheme provides financial protection. Seniors get free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per year in empanelled hospitals. Key highlights · All citizens aged 70 and above are eligible. · Covers surgeries, critical care, and treatments for chronic conditions. · Cashless treatment available at empanelled hospitals. How to access: · Go to the official Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY beneficiary portal: · Register or Login: · Look for a specific link or banner on the portal that is designated for senior citizens above 70 years of age. · Provide Aadhaar details · Complete verification · Enroll in the scheme Cost: No premiums or charges; the government funds the scheme fully. How it helps manage healthcare expenses? For seniors on fixed incomes, these two schemes can mean substantial savings: · Routine care savings: e-Sanjeevani eliminates doctor visit charges (typically Rs 200–Rs 1,000 per visit) and transport costs. · Hospitalisation cover: AB PM-JAY protects against major hospital bills that can easily cross Rs 1 lakh. By using both, elderly individuals can focus their financial resources on other essential needs, from medicines to day-to-day living expenses. What to keep in mind? · Digital access: e-Sanjeevani requires a smartphone or computer and an internet connection. · Awareness: Some seniors may not know about these schemes—family members can help spread the word and assist with enrolment. · Location check: For AB PM-JAY, verify empanelled hospitals nearby on These initiatives combine to offer a safety net for elderly citizens, making healthcare more accessible and affordable.
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
‘Ayushman card helped my mother get timely treatment': Months after launch, how has the scheme fared in Delhi?
It was June 27, a Friday. Jai Prakash was finally admitted to a private hospital in South Delhi. Since December last year, he has been complaining of severe chest pain and palpitations. A check-up revealed that two of his heart valves were not functioning. He needed heart valve replacement surgery, and his local doctor suggested he go to Delhi. But the cost — over Rs 3 lakh — was far beyond his means. A 70-year-old farmer from Agra's Anguthi village, Prakash grew wheat on a 200-yard plot and made money based on how the crop performed. Then came a lifeline: the announcement that the Ayushman Bharat scheme was launched in Delhi. For Prakash, that meant access to a good private hospital, empanelled under the scheme, in the national capital — something previously out of reach. His cousin Ram Singh, who accompanied him from the village, said that 'the surgery and hospital admission, amounting to Rs 3.5 lakh, was covered under Ayushman Bharat. All Prakash had to pay was Rs 1,500 for the doctor's consultation fee and Rs 10,000 for diagnostic tests. It was Prakah's doctor in Agra who suggested he get the surgery done at the Delhi hospital, which specialises in heart health. 'Doctors are not that good where we live… Delhi is close by, a four-hour road journey from the village, and doctors here are more reliable. So, we came to the city,' says Singh, adding that Prakash underwent the surgery on June 28. Singh, also a farmer, said if not for the Ayushman card, they would have had to sell a part of their land to pay for the surgery. On April 11, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) — the Central government's flagship health programme — was flagged off by the BJP Delhi government, promising health coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh per family per year. It was the BJP's biggest poll promise in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly elections. Three months following its rollout, the scheme has emerged as a crucial support system for low-income families like Prakash struggling with the rising cost of private healthcare. But there are some hiccups. First, big private players are yet to come on board, citing the pricing difference. Second, officials have pointed to a lack of staff and infrastructure in hospitals for the scheme to take off. So far, 69 private hospitals (including 7 daycare centres) and 39 central and state government hospitals (as per the have been empanelled under the scheme. Among these, a majority of facilities offer Ophthalmology services, followed by General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Orthopaedics. Nodal officers have been appointed in these hospitals, and their numbers are provided on the website of the National Health Authority (NHA). The NHA is the apex body responsible for the scheme's implementation. Since Delhi was onboarded onto the PMJAY, a total of 3,92,181 Ayushman cards have been issued to residents, and over 20,000 hospital admissions have taken place so far. Top procedures conducted in Delhi include chronic hemodialysis, cataract surgery, cesarean delivery, and common bile duct laparoscopic surgery. To understand the early impact of AB-PMJAY in Delhi, The Indian Express visited 15 private hospitals empanelled under the scheme and spoke to patients and officials about the benefits and challenges. Over the course of a week, The Indian Express found several patients from Delhi and nearby states availing of the scheme's benefits. Many also stopped by Ayushman kiosks set up at some hospitals to inquire about eligibility and services. At one such hospital was Mahendri Devi. The 73-year-old had to undergo surgery for a broken leg — she had been hit by a bull at her home in Narela's Kheda Khurd village. Her son, Manoj, a farmer, rushed her to a nearby private hospital and inquired whether the Ayushman card could be used. The hospital confirmed her eligibility under the scheme. He said he had to pay Rs 15,000 for initial diagnostic tests, which were not covered, but the cost of the surgery and hospital admission was taken care of under the scheme. 'Thanks to the card, my mother received timely treatment,' he said. 'Otherwise, we would have spent lakhs.' Devi received her Ayushman card from Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on April 28; she was among 40 elderly beneficiaries who were given the card at the launch of the Ayushman Bharat Vaya Vandana Yojana, a scheme for those aged 70 and above. Manoj had one grouse, though — he said he was yet to receive any official confirmation detailing how much of the scheme's benefit was utilised for his mother's treatment. At many hospitals, however, patients faced issues. They complained that the scheme was not prominently advertised — The Indian Express also found no posters or display charts explaining its benefits. Many were also unclear about which services were actually covered. Saaki Ram Lal from Jhansi, who recently underwent a bypass surgery at a private hospital in South Delhi, said he wasn't aware that the hospital provided coverage under Ayushman Bharat. 'There was no board or poster we could refer to. We did not inquire either,' he said. Some patients reported information gaps. Manohar Lal (45), a prostate cancer patient, was undergoing treatment at a major cancer care hospital in West Delhi. He had been advised to undergo chemotherapy. But the hospital told him that it wasn't covered under Ayushman Bharat and would be billed for it — forcing him to stop treatment. 'I didn't know it wasn't covered. I will now go to a government hospital,' he said. An official in the state health department said cancer care is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to coverage under Ayushman Bharat, owing to how expensive it is. 'Since investment in cancer care is very high, hospitals are not very keen to cater to such patients.' 'Chemotherapy drugs can cost anywhere between Rs 40,000 and Rs 1.50 lakh,' he added. In a similar case, Ram Singh (73) had taken his wife, Kalawati, to a private hospital in Southeast Delhi to get her cataract treated. He was charged Rs 1,500 for an OPD consultation in the ophthalmology department — he didn't know it wasn't covered under the scheme. 'They should have told me. I had no money… My son lives in Faridabad, while we live in Sangam Vihar. We are on our own,' he said. Singh used to work as a contractor. He gets by with occasional support from his son. He then reached out to the area MLA, who asked him to visit the hospital again with his ration card to avail of the OPD consultation under the EWS scheme for free. Seventy-two-year-old Ashok Pandey and his wife Sita Devi faced trouble paying for diagnostic tests at a private hospital in Central Delhi. Devi was diagnosed with a tumour in her stomach. The couple, who lives in Karawal Nagar, said the doctor had prescribed several tests, but they were not covered by the hospital under PM-JAY. 'We'll have to spend thousands on a CT scan and biopsy… Only after these tests are done will the treatment begin,' said Ashok, a retired MCD school teacher. At some facilities, services under PMJAY have not started due to numerous reasons. When The Indian Express contacted hospitals listed as empanelled on the official PMJAY website, it found that: -Registrations at several hospitals were still pending. -Some hospitals were in the process of setting up a portal for the billing system. -Several were hiring new staff before beginning operations under the scheme. -A few hospitals reported issues on the 'backend' of the system. -Many were yet to sign the memorandum of understanding. -Some were still completing the required documentation. An official in the state health department acknowledged the issues. He said, 'Earlier, before the scheme was implemented in Delhi, it was the National Health Authority (NHA) that oversaw hospitals treating patients from other states. After the scheme was rolled out in Delhi, hospitals had to sign a fresh MoU with the state government, which has caused delays in the start of services.' 'We are facing challenges in the empanelment process, which we are actively working to resolve. Key issues include setting up the required infrastructure in each Delhi hospital, hiring staff for the scheme, deciding their salary structures, and establishing the billing portal,' added the official. While Delhi government hospitals will provide services free of cost, implants and consumables for patients will be covered under the scheme. According to sources in the state health department, a major challenge is that many empanelled hospitals are dissatisfied with delayed payments, reduced incentives from the NHA, and ongoing discussions over low tariffs. 'Hospitals have raised these issues with us, and we are trying to resolve them,' the official added. He said this is also why many big players are not on board with the scheme. 'Officials have been in constant touch with private hospitals. Even hospitals providing services in other states, but not in Delhi, have shown reservations owing to the low tariff,' the official added. Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh and the Delhi Health Secretary did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment. To be sure, when the BJP government completed 100 days in power on May 31, Singh had said that all 'big hospitals' of Delhi would be brought under the Ayushman Bharat insurance umbrella in the next '20-25 days'. At the time, Singh had said private hospitals were hesitant to sign up because the previous AAP government did not clear pending payments under other schemes: 'They did not make the payment on time from Delhi Arogya Nidhi (the financial assistance scheme run by the Directorate General of Health Services). Now I ensure that in the next 20-25 days, all big hospitals will be empanelled under Ayushman Bharat.' The previous AAP government had refused to implement Ayushman Bharat in Delhi on the grounds that its own schemes were better. The AAP's schemes included free treatment for all citizens in government hospitals and free surgeries in 81 private hospitals for those who had to wait a long time for diagnoses and treatment in government-run hospitals. Dr Vipender Sabherwal, convenor for Ayushman Bharat, who is also representing the Association of Healthcare Providers India (APHI), said the association is planning to issue a white paper to the NHA on the issues being faced. AHPI represents about 15,000 private hospitals, including Fortis, Max Healthcare, Manipal, Medanta, Narayana and Apollo. 'We will do it in the next 10 days… There has been no headway so far, because of which major private players are not on board. Even those who are providing services are not very happy and are reconsidering their decision,' he added. Despite the issues around coverage and services, beneficiaries are happy with the scheme. Manoj, who is the sole breadwinner of his family comprising his parents, wife, and two children, said it took a load off his chest. He earns Rs 25,000 a month growing wheat and a few vegetables in the village. 'I was relieved. Otherwise, I would have been forced to take a loan or run around to arrange money for my mother's surgery,' he said.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab fails to pay up, state patients lose Ayushman cover at GMCH-32, Chandigarh
1 2 3 Chandigarh: Patients from Punjab seeking treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, are once again facing disruptions. The hospital has asked them to seek treatment outside the scheme due to a pending payment of Rs 1 crore from the Punjab government, a recurring issue that has left many low-income families in distress. Sources at GMCH revealed that the Punjab government is expected to release the outstanding amount soon, and the hospital anticipates resuming Ayushman Bharat treatments for Punjab beneficiaries by next week. However, the situation stands in stark contrast to that of Haryana patients, who continue to receive treatment under the scheme despite a larger pending amount of Rs 5 crore. This is reportedly due to assurances from the Haryana administration. This is not the first time Punjab patients have been affected. In Jan, GMCH temporarily suspended Ayushman Bharat treatments for Punjab beneficiaries. A similar disruption occurred earlier in 2024, when the hospital halted services due to an unpaid Rs 5 crore from the Punjab government for previously rendered treatments. On average, around 2,000 patients from Punjab seek admission at GMCH every month under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Prof AK Attri, director principal of GMCH-32, confirmed the ongoing situation: "We are still treating Ayushman beneficiaries from Haryana and Himachal. It is expected that Punjab will clear its dues, and we will soon resume treatment for the state's beneficiaries by next week." The Ayushman Bharat scheme, launched to provide free healthcare services to low-income families, covers inpatient treatments up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year. This includes critical procedures such as major surgeries and chemotherapy. For countless families, the scheme has been a lifeline, sparing them from crippling medical debt and the need to sell land or property to afford treatment.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Letters to The Editor — June 26, 2025
Feeble voices The whole world has been left feeling helpless, unable to put an end to the theatrics of the superpowers that are escalating strife. Absurdity and megalomania are evident in the rhetoric of some world leaders. There seems to be no room at all for values, grace, magnanimity, humility, amity, credibility, humanity and morality. Sane voices should unite to stop war-hungry powers. Brij Bhushan Goyal, Ludhiana, Punjab Midnight knock, lessons The midnight of June 25, 1975, etched a dark shadow across Indian democracy as Emergency was declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi — a response to the Allahabad High Court verdict by Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha that set the dominoes in motion. His unflinching verdict, invalidating Mrs Gandhi's election, was a rare moment of judicial spine. Raj Narain, the maverick challenger, may have lost the poll but he won a nation's conscience. The Emergency that followed, with the press muzzled, civil liberties curtailed, and dissent locked behind bars, was also shaped by the quiet enablers such as R.K. Dhawan and a compliant bureaucracy. Yet, there shone bright lights such as Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, whose jurisprudence preserved constitutional sanity. While the present political class debates and appropriates this legacy, it is imperative that we treat June 25 as a civic reminder: democracy is never a finished product. It must be guarded each day. Gopalaswamy J., Chennai Shrinking place for English I am on the same page with the Kerala Chief Minister and his comment about this great Indian nation with parliamentary democracy and diversity ('CM takes a dig at Amit Shah for language comment', June 25). Does Home Minister Shah not understand the vast diversity of citizens who speak different languages including English and follow different customs and beliefs? His comment that English-speaking citizens will feel 'ashamed' soon is inappropriate. This 'mindset' seems to have crept into the welfare schemes of the Government of India. As a senior citizen, I personally experienced this when I received a call from the number +911205138033 purportedly in response to my dialling a toll free number 1800110770, as a missed call. The caller, who I understand represented the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, was speaking too fast, in a low voice and in Hindi, making it difficult for me to comprehend anything. I requested her to talk to me, preferably in English. After a pause and silence, the line was disconnected. No courtesy was shown to my request nor anything conveyed about the scheme. It left me disturbed. Has English been banned in the national discourse in the Government of India's schemes? Will citizens who speak English be made to forgo or be deprived of government health schemes? Jacob Cherian, Thiruvananthapuram 'Epochal triumph' June 25, 1983 is etched in the memory of every Indian cricket fan ('Sport' page, June 25). It was an extraordinary win that changed Indian cricket. When one talks about the historic win, it connects with the unforgettable image of a beaming Kapil Dev holding aloft the trophy from the balcony of Lord's. R. Sivakumar, Chennai
Mint
20-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
Health ministry report bats for liver and heart transplants under PMJAY
New Delhi: The union health ministry has called for including liver and heart transplants under the government's flagship health insurance scheme, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This assumes importance given that health insurance schemes in the country cover life and disability, but not organ donation. Also Read | Why are men ignoring their hormonal health? The recommendation comes in a report, titled the National Review Meeting on Organ Transplantation Activities in Government Hospitals, prepared by the National Organ Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), a top body which manages organ transplantation, under the health ministry. The call for expanding insurance coverage comes in the backdrop of the low number of organ transplants performed in India. Mint has seen a copy of the report, which has been submitted to health ministry. Also Read | Want glowing skin? Take care of your mental health AB PM-JAY is the world's largest health insurance scheme, providing health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year. Notably, the scheme's ambit has been expanded to include free treatment benefits of up to ₹5 lakh per year to senior citizens aged 70 years and above. Earlier this month, a nationwide review meeting was conducted on organ transplants in government hospitals by a group of top government experts to identify bottlenecks in the system and formulate a roadmap for improvement. The report underlined that government institutions have inadequate capacities and that new centres are required to be established and made functional. It emphasized the need for a multi-pronged strategy involving policy changes, financial investment, and capacity building to bridge the demand-supply gap in organ transplantation. Also Read | ₹1-crore health cover is fast becoming a necessity. But how to afford one? The report highlighted a huge gap between demand and supply: while India requires at least 100,000 kidney transplants per year, only 13,476 were performed in 2024 across both government and private centers. 'These recommendations aim to strengthen India's organ transplantation capabilities and make life-saving procedures more accessible to those in need. During the nationwide assessment of the government hospitals, we identified their challenges and suggested measures to improve their capabilities in terms of infrastructure, finance, manpower etc. We have submitted our report to the health ministry and now the ministry will take action on these recommendations," said Dr. Anil Kumar, director, NOTTO. One of the key recommendations is to include comprehensive inclusion of liver and heart transplantation in national health schemes like PMJAY, he added. 'Some states like Maharashtra and Delhi have expanded their coverage under the PM-JAY scheme. So, the recommendation of the report to include liver and heart transplantation under PM-JAY may be considered to accelerate organ transplantation in the government institutions," he said. Dr Anup Kumar, head of kidney transplant and urology department at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, said, ' It is a welcome move. PMJAY offers coverage of up to ₹5 lakh, but these are very expensive procedures require ₹20-25 lakh in the private sector. However, in government institutions these transplants can be done in ₹10 lakh. So, to cover these two transplants, the government has to also consider increasing the coverage plan of PMJAY from ₹5 lakh to at least ₹10 lakh." Further, to bridge the critical demand-supply gap, the expert group has put forth several key recommendations, which include financial incentives for transplant teams, enhanced funding for infrastructure development, establishment of dedicated transplant centres and robust training programmes for medical personnel and transplant coordinators. 'We have tried to understand why government institutions are not able to do the maximum number of organ transplants and what are the solutions. Do we require to build new centres or strengthen the existing capacities. Some government centres like Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) Ahmedabad conducted a total of 508 organ transplants in the last year, including 195 cadaveric transplants, PGIMER Chandigarh performed 320 organ transplants including 55 cadaveric transplants," Dr. Kumar said. However, the report revealed that government institutions like GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi, despite having the physical infrastructure and licence, did not perform any organ transplants.
