I’m a resident of Delhi and want to know the step-by-step process to apply for an Ayushman Bharat card for my family here in the city.
It is a crucial point of clarification that you cannot apply for an Ayushman Bharat card in Delhi, as the central PM-JAY scheme is not implemented in the state. Instead, to avail benefits under Delhi’s own health scheme, you must follow a process that begins at a Delhi Government hospital.
The First Step: Visit a Delhi Government Hospital
My friend, a long-time Delhi resident, needed to get a medical procedure done and wanted to use the government health scheme. I explained that his first step was not to apply for a card, but to go directly to the Out-Patient Department (OPD) of a Delhi Government hospital, such as LNJP, GTB, or a similar facility, for a consultation and diagnosis.
Providing the Necessary Documents for Eligibility
When he visited the hospital, he was asked to provide documents to prove his eligibility as a resident of Delhi. He had to show his Delhi Voter ID card, which is the primary proof of residency, along with his Aadhaar card for identity verification. This step is to confirm that he is a resident of Delhi and is entitled to the benefits of the state’s health scheme.
The Process for Getting Treatment
The doctors at the government hospital assessed his condition. Since the required surgery could be performed at their facility, he was given a date for admission. The entire procedure was then done at the government hospital itself, free of cost, and the involvement of a private hospital was not required.
Getting a Referral for a Private Hospital
I explained a different scenario to him for his future reference. If the government hospital had been unable to perform his specific surgery in a timely manner (due to a long waiting list or lack of equipment), the doctors there would have issued him an official referral letter. He could then have taken this letter to a specific empanelled private hospital to get the treatment done cashlessly, with the bill being paid by the Delhi government.
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