(Image source from: Moneycontrol)
Aadhaar is not compulsory to avail benefits for the first time under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recently-launched Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) but will be mandatory for those seeking treatment under the flagship insurance scheme for the second instance, according to a top official.
Just in case, the Aadhaar number is not available, beneficiaries have to at least provide documents to prove that they have enrolled for the 12-digit unique identity number, said Indu Bhushan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Agency, accountable for implementing Ayushman Bharat.
The decision comes aftermath a Supreme Court order declaring the Aadhaar scheme was constitutionally valid.
"We are studying the Supreme Court order. Aadhaar number or at least documents to prove that one has enrolled for the 12-digit unique identity number will be mandatory to seek treatment under the (Ayushman Bharat) scheme for the second time. To avail benefits for the first time, one can either show Aadhaar or any other identity document like election card etc," Bhushan said.
Ayushman Bharat was launched pan-India by PM Modi from Jharkhand on September 23.
Since its roll-out, over 50,000 poor people have availed benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which has been touted as the world's largest health insurance programme, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said.
The government, under the scheme intents at rendering a coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family yearly, benefiting over 10.74 crore poor families for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization through a network of Empanelled Healthcare Providers (EHCP).
Over 14,000 hospitals both public and private, have been impanelled for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and as many as 32 states and Union territories have signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with the Centre and will implement the programme.
Odisha, Telangana, Kerala, and Delhi are not among states that have opted for the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
-Sowmya Sangam
