You can get cashless hospital care with the Ayushman Bharat card at thousands of empanelled public and private hospitals across India. Check the official empanelled hospital list for your state or use the Ayushman Bharat portal to find nearby hospitals that accept the card. This lets you access treatment up to the scheme limit without paying up front at participating centers.
If you need care, confirm a hospital’s empanelment and the services covered before you go. Many large government hospitals and many private hospitals accept the card, though availability and covered procedures can vary by state and facility.
Key Takeaways
- Use the official empanelled list or portal to find hospitals that accept the card.
- Confirm which treatments are covered and whether the hospital is empanelled in your state.
- Both government and private hospitals participate, but services and processes can differ by location.
Overview of Ayushman Bharat Card
The Ayushman Bharat Card gives eligible families cashless hospital care up to ₹5 lakh per year. It lists thousands of empaneled public and private hospitals across India that provide covered treatments without upfront payment.
What Is the Ayushman Bharat Card
The Ayushman Bharat Card (also called PM-JAY health card) is an official ID for beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. It links a family to their entitlement of hospitalisation cover worth up to ₹5,00,000 per year.
The card stores basic beneficiary details and can be digital (ABHA/health ID) or a printed card. Hospitals use the card to verify identity, check entitlements, and process cashless claims through the National Health Authority system. The card does not replace government ID for other services.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is based on socio-economic and deprivation data maintained by the government, not on income alone. Households identified in official PM-JAY lists—such as those from Tiered deprivation or occupational criteria—qualify for the scheme.
To confirm eligibility, a person can check their name on the official PMJAY portal or at a local health centre using the family’s ration card, Aadhaar, or other ID documents. States may handle enrolment differently, but the national database determines empanelment and benefits.
Benefits and Coverage
The card covers secondary and tertiary hospitalisation costs up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. Coverage includes pre-approved procedures, surgeries, diagnostics, medicines given during hospital stay, and related hospital services.
Benefits are cashless at empaneled hospitals. The scheme covers both government and private hospitals that the National Health Authority has empaneled. Certain outpatient services and non-listed procedures may not be covered, so beneficiaries should confirm procedure codes and hospital empanelment before admission.
Types of Hospitals Accepting Ayushman Bharat Card
Patients can use the Ayushman Bharat card at both public hospitals run by government authorities and private hospitals that the scheme has empanelled. Each type has clear rules on services, cashless billing, and patient verification.
Government Hospitals
Government hospitals include district hospitals, medical college hospitals, and state-run specialty centers. They provide cashless treatment under PMJAY for eligible beneficiaries without any cap on the list of covered procedures within the scheme’s package rates.
Patients must bring a valid Ayushman card or be identified through the scheme’s digital database at the hospital help desk. Registration and admission are usually streamlined because these hospitals coordinate directly with state health authorities and the National Health Authority.
Benefit packages, pre-authorization rules, and entitlement verification follow government guidelines. Public hospitals often handle high patient volumes and may have separate counters or dedicated staff for Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries. Emergency care is typically covered immediately, with formal claims lodged after admission.
Private Empanelled Hospitals
Private empanelled hospitals are selected by PMJAY after meeting capacity, infrastructure, and pricing criteria. They offer the same cashless treatment for approved procedures, but they must adhere to the scheme’s package rates and billing rules.
Patients should verify that a chosen private hospital appears on the official empanelled list or the PMJAY portal before seeking planned care. At admission, the hospital verifies eligibility via the Ayushman card or the digital database, then submits pre-authorization and claims electronically.
Private hospitals may provide faster admissions and additional amenities, but they cannot charge beneficiaries extra for covered services. Any non-covered services or doctor preferences should be confirmed in writing before treatment.
How to Find Hospitals That Accept Ayushman Bharat Card
This section shows specific tools and steps to locate empanelled hospitals that offer cashless treatment under Ayushman Bharat. It lists reliable online options and explains how to use the official portal to confirm hospital status, contact details, and services.
Online Search Tools
Use searchable hospital lists and state portals to find nearby empanelled hospitals quickly. Enter the beneficiary district, state, or PIN code and filter results by hospital type (public or private) and specialty to narrow choices.
Key steps:
- Visit national or state health portal search pages.
- Enter location and choose “empanelled hospitals” or “PMJAY hospitals.”
- Use filters for specialty, hospital ownership, and distance.
Important checks:
- Note hospital phone number and address from the listing.
- Look for tags like “cashless” or “PMJAY empanelled” and the last updated date.
- If unsure, call the hospital to confirm they still accept the Ayushman card before travel.
Ayushman Bharat Official Website
The Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) official portal has an empanelled hospital search with verified data. It shows hospital name, address, state, district, bed strength, and contact number.
How to use it:
- Go to the official PM-JAY hospital search page.
- Choose state and district or enter a PIN code to list nearby hospitals.
- Click a hospital entry to view details like phone number and services offered.
Verification tips:
- Use the hospital’s official phone number from the portal to confirm current empanelment.
- Check the portal’s “suspended hospitals” or update notes to avoid facilities that are temporarily removed.
- Save or screenshot the hospital details and date shown on the portal for records.
Process for Availing Treatment at Empanelled Hospitals
The patient must confirm eligibility, carry required documents, and follow hospital admission steps for cashless care. The hospital performs identity and entitlement checks, then authorizes treatment under PM-JAY rules.
Documents Required
The patient should bring the Ayushman Bharat health card or the e-card number printed on any official document. If the e-card is not available, a valid government ID such as Aadhaar, voter ID, or driving licence is required for identity verification.
Bring proof of family details when asked, such as ration card or family ID used in the beneficiary database. A hospital may also request contact details and a recent photograph for records.
For planned admissions, carry previous medical records, test reports, prescriptions, and any referral letter from a doctor. For emergencies, the hospital accepts whatever ID is available and helps complete paperwork after initial treatment.
Admission and Verification
On arrival, the patient or attendant should report to the hospital’s Ayushman desk or registration counter. Staff will enter the e-card number or mobile number into the PM-JAY portal to check entitlement and open an authorization request.
The hospital verifies identity, family details, and entitlement status on the portal. If eligible, the hospital raises a pre-authorization for proposed procedures; approval can be immediate or require insurer/TPA confirmation depending on the case.
Once authorization is granted, the hospital admits the patient for cashless treatment. The hospital bills directly to PM-JAY for covered procedures; the patient signs consent forms and receives a printed estimate and authorization code for records.
Major Hospitals Across India Accepting Ayushman Bharat Card
Many top government and private hospitals across India accept the Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) card for cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family. Patients can use the empanelled hospital lists on the official PMJAY site or state portals to find nearby facilities and confirm services.
Notable Hospitals in Metro Cities
In metro areas like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, major government hospitals and large private chains are empanelled under PM-JAY. Examples include AIIMS (Delhi) and its regional AIIMS centers for complex tertiary care, state-run medical colleges offering specialty services, and private groups such as Apollo, Fortis, and Max that participate in many cities.
These hospitals typically provide emergency care, major surgeries, oncology, cardiology, and intensive care under cashless claims. Patients should check the hospital’s PM-JAY package list and pre-authorization process, since some high-cost procedures require prior approval.
Contacting the hospital helpdesk or using the PMJAY portal/mobile app helps verify ward availability, procedure coverage, and empanelment status before admission.
Popular Hospitals in Tier-2 Cities
Tier-2 cities like Lucknow, Jaipur, Kochi, Nagpur, and Guwahati host a mix of district hospitals, teaching hospitals, and smaller private hospitals under the scheme. District government hospitals and regional medical colleges often handle most PM-JAY admissions for surgeries, maternal care, and common specialties.
Private hospitals in these cities usually cover routine and some specialized procedures, but they may have limited ICU or super-specialty capacity compared with metros. Beneficiaries should confirm whether diagnostics, medicines, and post-op care are included in the specific package for the chosen hospital.
Use the state-wise empanelled hospital PDF or hospital search on hospitals.pmjay.gov.in to find exact names, addresses, and contact numbers before travel.
State-Specific Lists and Variations
States and union territories publish separate empanelled hospital lists. Availability, number of private hospitals, and the scope of services vary by state and can change with periodic updates.
Variation in Hospital Empanelment by State
Each state controls which hospitals join the PMJAY network, so the mix of government and private facilities differs widely. For example, some states empanel large private multispecialty hospitals in major cities, while others rely mainly on district and government hospitals. States also set local rules for paperless admission, pre-authorization, and package rates within the national framework.
Differences affect patient access: urban beneficiaries often find more empanelled private options; rural beneficiaries may depend on district hospitals or smaller private clinics. Empanelment can change after audits, quality checks, or contract renewals, so a hospital listed last year might not appear today.
How to Access Regional Hospital Lists
Beneficiaries can check state or district lists through these reliable sources:
- Official PMJAY portal: provides state-wise PDFs and a searchable hospital directory.
- State health department sites: list empanelled hospitals and local helpline numbers.
- Mobile apps and local Ayushman centers: offer quick lookup and printing options.
Steps to verify a hospital:
- Search by state and district on the PMJAY portal or app.
- Download the latest empanelment PDF or view the interactive map.
- Call the hospital or state helpline to confirm cashless services and package coverage.
Always note the empanelment date shown on lists and confirm pre-authorization procedures before admission.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Many beneficiaries face two main problems: hospitals refusing cashless care and slow or ineffective grievance redressal. The next parts explain why denials happen and how to resolve disputes step by step.
Hospital Denial of Card
Hospitals sometimes decline Ayushman Bharat card holders for reasons like missing documents, non-empanelment, or delays in provider payments. Patients should first confirm the hospital is empaneled using the official Ayushman Bharat hospital list or the PM-JAY portal.
If staff cite paperwork, beneficiaries must show a valid Ayushman Card, Aadhar or other ID, and family details from the SECC/PM-JAY database.
Private hospitals may ask for upfront payment when reimbursement is delayed. In that case, beneficiaries should request a written refusal and note the staff name and time.
Keep digital photos of documents and the card. These records help when filing complaints and proving entitlement to cashless care worth up to ₹5 lakh per family per year.
Resolving Disputes and Grievances
Beneficiaries can use multiple complaint routes: the PM-JAY 24×7 helpline, state nodal officers, and the grievance portal. Call the PM-JAY helpline number or submit an online grievance with the hospital refusal evidence.
When filing, include: patient name, Ayushman Card number, hospital name, date/time, and photos or a written refusal. Use email or WhatsApp channels if the state health agency provides them.
If the issue persists, escalate to the state health agency or the insurer listed for that hospital. For urgent denials, approach the hospital administrator and request immediate policy verification.
Track complaint IDs and follow up within the timelines given. If fraud or demand for cash continues, beneficiaries may seek help from local consumer forums or legal aid services.
FAQs
Who can use the Ayushman Bharat card?
Anyone who is listed as eligible under PM-JAY can use the card. It covers families identified by the scheme for cashless hospital care up to the specified limit.
How to find hospitals that accept the card?
They can search the official Ayushman hospital search portal or download state-wise lists. Many government and empanelled private hospitals appear in those lists.
Is treatment fully cashless at empanelled hospitals?
Yes, empanelled hospitals provide cashless treatment for covered procedures. Patients should confirm pre-authorization and covered services before admission.
Can private hospitals deny treatment under the scheme?
Private hospitals on the empanelled list must follow scheme rules and provide services. If a hospital is not empanelled, the card will not be valid there.
What documents are needed at the hospital?
They generally need the Ayushman card or e-card and an ID for verification. Hospitals may also require basic medical records or referral notes.
How much coverage does the scheme provide?
The scheme offers financial cover per family per year for specified treatments. Beneficiaries should check exact limits, covered packages, and exclusions on the official site.
How to check if a hospital is empanelled locally?
They can use the online search by state and district or contact the hospital directly. State health authorities also publish updated empanelment lists.
Conclusion
Patients can use the Ayushman Bharat card at empaneled government and private hospitals across India for cashless treatment up to the scheme limit. They should check the official PMJAY hospital list before seeking care to confirm participation and services offered.
Beneficiaries can search by state, district, or hospital name on the PMJAY portal or download the latest PDF list. Calling the hospital to verify empanelment and bed availability saves time and avoids surprises.
Some hospitals offer full inpatient care while others provide limited services or day procedures. Knowing the hospital type helps patients plan transport, paperwork, and expected costs for items not covered under the scheme.
Patients should carry ID and the Ayushman card details, and follow the hospital’s admission process for cashless authorization. If a claim is denied or a hospital is not empaneled, beneficiaries can contact the National Health Authority helpline for guidance.
Key actions to take:
- Verify the hospital on the PMJAY list.
- Confirm the services covered at that facility.
- Keep contact details and ID ready.
This approach helps beneficiaries use the scheme effectively and access entitlements without unnecessary delay.