Getting an Ayushman card is essential to avail the benefits of this scheme. The good news is that it can now be obtained digitally from the comfort of your home.

The Government of India has launched several schemes to enhance healthcare facilities for the underprivileged. The most important of these is the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). The primary objective of this scheme is to provide financial assistance to the country's poor and underprivileged individuals for the treatment of serious illnesses. Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, eligible beneficiaries are provided free treatment up to Rs. 5 lakh annually. This means that if a person needs hospitalization and treatment, the government bears the entire cost. This relieves poor families of the heavy burden of healthcare expenses.

Getting an Ayushman card is essential to avail the benefits of this scheme. The good news is that it can now be obtained digitally from the comfort of your home. You just need to complete some necessary documentation and procedures. However, having an Ayushman card does not mean that all types of treatment will be free. Some diseases and treatments are not covered under this scheme. Therefore, it is important to know which expenses you will have to bear yourself, even with an Ayushman card.

Which diseases are not covered under the Ayushman Yojana?

1. OPD (Outpatient Department) treatment - If your illness is mild enough to be treated only with a doctor's consultation in the OPD, then you will have to bear the expenses yourself. This means you cannot use your Ayushman card for just a doctor's visit or general check-ups.

2. Expenses for tests only - If you are getting tests done without being admitted to the hospital, the cost will not be covered under the scheme. However, if the tests are done after a doctor's consultation and you are admitted to the same hospital, then these expenses may be covered.

3. Vitamins and tonics - You will have to pay for vitamins and tonics taken for general health or to boost immunity. However, if a doctor prescribes vitamins or tonics due to an illness or injury, then coverage may be provided. 4. Dental Treatment - Routine dental problems or treatments are not covered under this scheme. Coverage is only provided for dental or bone-related treatments in serious situations such as accidents, injuries, tumors, or cysts.

5. IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technologies - The cost of IVF or any other assisted reproductive technology for becoming parents is also not covered under the scheme.

6. Other Non-Essential or Cosmetic Treatments - Any type of vaccination or immunization, cosmetic surgery for a youthful appearance, laser procedures for tattoo removal,
fat removal surgery for weight loss, neck lift, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), life support solely dependent on medical machines, circumcision of children under 2 years of age (covered only in case of illness) - all these expenses are also not covered under the scheme.

Who will not benefit from the Ayushman Card?

The Ayushman Yojana is primarily designed for poor and needy people. Therefore, some people will not benefit from it, such as people working in the organized sector who pay taxes regularly, those receiving ESIC benefits, those whose salaries have PF deductions, and government employees.