How to Use Ayushman Card at Hospital: Step by Step Patient Experience

Who needs this service?

• Indian citizens listed in the SECC 2011 database (Socio-Economic Caste Census) who fall under deprivation categories (e.g., households with no adult male member, SC/ST households, landless labourers).

• Active Ration Card holders (Antyodaya Anna Yojana/Priority Households) in states that have integrated their databases.

• Workers in the unorganized sector (ragpickers, domestic workers, street vendors) with an active Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) registration.

Required Documents for Hospital Admission

You must carry original copies of the following to the hospital. Do not rely solely on phone photos.

• Aadhaar Card (Mandatory for biometric verification).

• Ayushman Card (Digital PDF or PVC printout).

• Ration Card or State Family ID (Parivar Pehchan Patra, etc.) – crucial if your name spelling differs on Aadhaar.

• Mobile Number linked to Aadhaar (for OTP verification during admission).

• Previous Medical Reports/Doctor’s Prescription (if referred from another clinic).

Step-by-Step Patient Process at Hospital (Offline)

This is the exact physical flow when you arrive at an empaneled hospital.

1. Locate the ‘Ayushman Mitra’ Desk

• Do not go directly to the billing counter.

• Look for the “Ayushman Mitra” or “PM-JAY Kiosk” near the reception. Every empaneled hospital is mandated to have this dedicated desk.

• Action: Hand over your Ayushman Card and Aadhaar Card to the Ayushman Mitra (Hospital Operator).

2. Beneficiary Identification System (BIS) Check

• The operator will search your details in the NHA Portal.

• Biometric Auth: You will be asked to place your finger on a scanner or look into a camera (Face Auth) to verify your identity against Aadhaar.

• Result: Once verified, a “Patient Wallet” is created in their system for this specific treatment.

3. Pre-Authorization (Crucial Step)

• The doctor examines you and decides if hospitalization is needed.

• Note: OPD (Out-Patient Department) treatments are NOT covered. You must be admitted for at least 24 hours (Day Care procedures like Dialysis/Chemo are exceptions).

• Process: The hospital sends a “Pre-Authorization Request” to the Insurance Company/State Health Agency via the portal.

• Wait Time: Approval usually takes 30 minutes to 6 hours. You cannot be charged during this wait.

4. Treatment and Cashless Discharge

• Once approved, your treatment begins. ₹0 should be paid for:

  • Bed charges

  • Medicines & Consumables (cotton, syringes)

  • Doctor/Surgeon fees

  • OT & ICU charges

  • Food (during hospital stay)

• Discharge: The hospital will upload your discharge summary. You may be asked for a final biometric auth to close the case.

Online Process: Card Generation & Status Check

Before going to the hospital, ensure your card is active. If you don’t have the physical card yet, follow these steps to download it.

1. Go to the Official Beneficiary Portal

• URL: https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/

• Warning: Do not use any third-party private websites.

2. Login as Beneficiary

• Enter your Mobile Number.

• Select “Auth Mode” as Mobile OTP.

• Enter the OTP received and the Captcha. Click Login.

3. Search for your Name

• Select your State and Scheme (PMJAY).

• Select District and Search By (Family ID/Aadhaar Number/Name).

• Click the Search icon (Magnifying glass).

4. Download or Do e-KYC

• If status is “Approved”: Click the Download Card icon (down arrow). Authenticate with Aadhaar OTP to save the PDF.

• If status is “Identified” (but not approved): Click e-KYC. Upload a live photo (selfie) and verify via Aadhaar OTP. The card will be approved (auto-approval or manual verification by state).

How to Check Application Status

If you have applied for a card or a correction, track it here:

1. Open: https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/

2. Login: Use the method above.

3. Dashboard: Look at the color-coded status next to your name:

   • Green (Approved): Ready to use.

   • Yellow (Pending): Waiting for State Health Agency (SHA) approval.

   • Red (Rejected): Click to see the specific reason (usually data mismatch).

Common Problems & Solutions

1. Hospital asks for money / Refuses treatment

• Problem: Hospital staff says “The server is down” or “We don’t have beds for Ayushman patients.”

• Solution: This is illegal. Immediate action is required.

• Fix: Call 14555 or 104 from the hospital premises. File a grievance at https://grievance.pmjay.gov.in.

2. Fingerprint Mismatch (Biometric Failure)

• Problem: Elderly patients or laborers often have worn-out fingerprints.

• Solution: Ask the Ayushman Mitra to use “Face Auth” or “IRIS Scan”. The PM-JAY app supports facial recognition as a valid alternative.

3. “Card Not Active” Error

• Problem: You have the plastic card, but the system shows “Inactive”.

• Solution: This means e-KYC is pending. You must complete the e-KYC on the beneficiary.nha.gov.in portal or ask the hospital operator to “Update KYC” using your Aadhaar.

4. Name Spelling Mismatch

• Problem: Name on Ayushman Card is “Ramesh Kumar” but Aadhaar says “Ramesh K”.

• Solution: Carry an affidavit or a secondary ID (Voter ID/Driving License) that matches the Ayushman Card. For permanent fix, use the “Redo e-KYC” option on the portal to sync details with Aadhaar.

5. Patient needs treatment in another state

• Problem: You are from Bihar but need surgery in Delhi.

• Solution: PM-JAY is portable. It works in any empaneled hospital in India. Ensure you carry your Ration Card along with the Ayushman Card to prove state domicile if asked.

Official Helpline Numbers

Next Step for You: Before visiting the hospital, open the Ayushman App (available on Google Play Store) or the website listed above to check if your chosen hospital is currently “Empanelled” and active. Many hospitals are added or removed monthly.

This information is from official National Health Authority (NHA) sources as of January 2026. Always verify on the official portal for the latest updates.