🏥 How Many Times Can You Use the Ayushman Card for Free Treatment?

Kokila Chokkanathan

Complete Guide to Eligibility, Limits & How the Scheme Works

The Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is India’s largest government-funded health insurance programme, offering free treatment to economically weaker families across the country. Many beneficiaries often wonder how many times they can use the Ayushman Card and what the actual limits are. Here’s a simplified, complete guide.

🔢 1. How Many Times Can You Use the Ayushman Card?

There is no fixed limit on the number of times you can use the card in a year.
Instead, the limit is based on total annual coverage.

✔️ Each eligible family gets ₹5 lakh per year

You can use the card:

· multiple times,

· for different treatments,

· for different family members,
as long as the total bill stays within ₹5 lakh in that year.

👨‍👩‍👧 2. Coverage is for the Entire Family

Under PMJAY:

· The ₹5 lakh cover is for the entire family, not per person.

· Any family member can avail treatment until the yearly limit is exhausted.

📋 3. Who Is Eligible?

The scheme mainly covers economically weaker households identified under the SECC 2011 (Socio-Economic Caste Census).

Eligible groups include:

· Low-income families

· Families living in kutcha houses

· Landless households

· Daily wage labourers

· SC/ST families

· Families without male members aged 16–59

· And several other vulnerable categories

You can check eligibility on the official PMJAY portal.

🏥 4. What Treatments Are Free?

Ayushman Bharat covers over 1,500+ medical packages, including:

· Major surgeries

· heart & kidney treatments

· cancer care

· Accidents & trauma

· Orthopedic procedures

· Maternity care

· ICU services

· Diagnostic tests

· Medicines & hospital stay

All of this comes at zero cost in empanelled hospitals.

📝 5. How to Use the Ayushman Card?

Using the card is simple:

✔️ Step 1: Visit an Authorized Ayushman Hospital

Government or private hospitals empanelled under PMJAY.

✔️ Step 2: Go to the Ayushman Help Desk

Provide:

· Your Ayushman Card

· Aadhaar Card

· Any other ID (if required)

✔️ Step 3: Hospital Verifies Your Eligibility

Verification is done digitally.

✔️ Step 4: Get Pre-Authorization

The hospital requests approval for treatment cost from the PMJAY system.

✔️ Step 5: Receive Free Treatment

Once approved, the hospital provides cashless treatment.

📅 6. What Happens Each Year?

The ₹5 lakh limit resets every financial year.
You can continue using the card next year with a fresh limit.

✔️ Summary at a Glance

Feature

Details

Usage Limit

Unlimited times, until ₹5 lakh annual cover is used

Coverage Type

Family floater (entire family shares ₹5 lakh)

Cost

Completely cashless & free

Reset

Every year

Where to Use

Empanelled government & private hospitals

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.

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