AYUSHMAN Bharat and HIMCARE Scheme: AIIMS Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh

The Central Government has been making various efforts to provide health security. In this context, the Government of India has launched the AYUSHMAN Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, under which people will be provided with health insurance. Similarly, the HIMCARE scheme has been launched for the residents of Himachal Pradesh. This service has been assisting patients at AIIMS Bilaspur since day one. Under the AYUSHMAN Bharat scheme, beneficiaries will be provided with free health insurance of up to INR 5 lakh, which will be cashless and paperless. This scheme was launched on September 23, 2018, and is valid in over 13,000 government and private hospitals across the country.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Insurance Coverage: This is a national health protection scheme for eligible families that provides free treatment up to INR 5 lakh in secondary and tertiary hospitals. It offers financial support to help people get treatment for serious illnesses. Under HIMCARE, CT and MRI scans are free in medical colleges.
• Total Number of Beneficiaries: Around 10 crore families (approx. 50 crore people) have been included under this scheme in India. In Himachal Pradesh, around 5 lakh eligible families (approx. 22 lakh people) are covered.
• No age or family size restrictions apply.
• Portability: Beneficiaries can avail treatment at any registered hospital across the country. Free treatment is provided under the scheme.
• Registered Hospitals: Under the scheme, 175 hospitals are registered in Himachal Pradesh — 151 government and 24 private hospitals. The registration process for new hospitals has also begun.
• Annual Coverage: Each family receives up to INR 5 lakh annually on a family floater basis. That means any member or all members of the family can avail treatment under this amount within one year.
• Additional Facilities: Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras will be available in hospitals to assist beneficiaries throughout the treatment process.

How to Apply for HIMCARE/AYUSHMAN Bharat Card

You can apply online via the official Ayushman Bharat website (https://pmjay.gov.in) or (www.hpsbys.in), or visit a Lok Mitra Kendra/Common Service Center for help with the enrollment process.

Who is Eligible

• Individuals with very low income.
• Poor and economically weaker individuals.
• Families in rural areas listed under BPL who live in houses with mud walls and roofs.
• Tribals, SC/STs, landless families, daily wage workers, and families with no physically able adult member.
• Families with disabled members and no able-bodied adults.

Process at AIIMS Bilaspur

1. To avail HIMCARE or AYUSHMAN Bharat card, cardholders must bring required documents and package form to the designated counter. Eligibility is verified and enrollment is done under the scheme.
2. The doctor selects the treatment package and verifies the remaining balance in the card. Necessary documents are submitted.
3. After completion of this process, the patient receives treatment and is discharged afterward.
4. At the time of discharge, the beneficiary must show the discharge summary to the AYUSHMAN Mitra, who uploads it on the portal. The State Health Agency then directly pays the hospital via electronic transfer. Lastly, feedback is taken from the patient about the services received.
5. Under both HIMCARE and AYUSHMAN Bharat, all medicines and treatments are provided free of cost. After discharge, the patient must submit the discharge card and file to the designated counter to close the card usage.