Is a Kidney Transplant Covered by Ayushman Card?

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Yes, the kidney transplant package is covered under the PM-JAY scheme of Ayushman Bharat. Initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with this policy, the government has included this critical procedure to save the lives of underprivileged people who can not afford this surgery.


In fact, according to a global study published in The Lancet journal, India ranks second-highest in terms of the number of people with chronic kidney disease. This is why this facility is a crucial step for the Indian government for citizen welfare.


What are the Features of Kidney Transplant Coverage Under Ayushman Card?



  1. Coverage Limit


Under the Ayushman Bharat Yoajna, beneficiaries can get cashless coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually. Therefore, in case they need a kidney transplant surgery, this benefit would help them to get quality treatment without any financial burden.



  1. Coverage Incusions


With the help of the Ayushman Card, policyholders can get coverage for pre-hospitalisation up to 3 days. Additionally, it includes post-hospitalisation cover for up to 15 days, including medications, diagnostics, and ICU charges.



  1. Excluded Services


Although the Ayushman Bharat scheme is designed to provide the necessary benefits needed during a kidney transplant, certain facilities of a standard private health insurance plan are excluded from this scheme. For instance, there is no coverage for free health check-ups or OPD cover.


Who is Eligible for Kidney Transplant Surgery from an Ayushman Card?


1. For Rural Residents



  • Family living in one room with kucha walls and a roof.



  • A household having no adult member and a male between 16 and 59 years old.



  • SC and ST households.



  • Landless households where a major part of their income comes from manual casual labour.



  • Household consisting of a disabled adult member.


2. For Urban Residents



  • Begger



  • Domestic worker



  • Street vendor, hawker, or individual offering any other service on the streets.



  • Head-Load Workers (e.g. construction workers or masons).



  • Sweeper, Mali, or Sanitation worker.



  • Transport worker (e.g. conductor, driver, cart pullers) or helper to drivers and conductors.



  • Shop worker, peon in a small establishment, assistant, attendant, and waiter.



  • Repair worker (e.g. electrician, assembler, mechanic).



  • Washer-man or chowkidar.


How to Enrol in PMJAY for Kidney Transplant?


Step 1: Visit the official PMJAY government portal and click the ‘Am I Eligible’ icon.


Step 2: Provide your mobile number and the captcha, then click on 'Generate OTP.’


Step 3: Enter the OTP received on your mobile.


Step 4: After navigating through all the steps, initiate a search by specifying your personal details, including name, ration card, and state.


Step 5: Wait for a moment to see your PMJAY eligibility status on the screen. Becoming eligible for this policy means your family would get medical assistance for critical surgeries like a kidney transplant.


Which Documents are Required to Apply for PMJAY Health Insurance?



  • Identity and age-proof documents, such as an Aadhaar card or PAN card.



  • Caste certificate



  • Certain specific information, including contact number, residential address and email ID



  • Income certificate of the family.


Final Words


The inclusion of kidney transplants under the Ayushman Bharat scheme has come as a major relief for underprivileged families. With these benefits, they can turn a high-cost, inaccessible procedure into a reachable, affordable one.


However, to avail the policy benefits, checking the eligibility is a must.