Introduction: Healthcare for All
Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental need, yet in India millions of families are forced to forego treatment due to high medical expenses. To solve this, the Government of India launched Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM‑JAY) — a landmark health protection scheme aimed at offering free, cashless treatment to economically vulnerable families across the nation.
What Is Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PM‑JAY)?
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM‑JAY) is the world’s largest government‑funded health insurance scheme launched in 2018. It provides up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization expenses — completely free of cost to beneficiaries. The cover includes surgery, diagnostics, medicines, bed charges, and follow‑up care for serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, and more.
Under PM‑JAY:
👍 Treatment is cashless at empanelled hospitals
👍 It covers poor and vulnerable families nationwide
👍 Benefits apply at government and private hospitals
👍 You can receive treatment anywhere in India
To use the scheme, you must first make sure your family is eligible and has an Ayushman Bharat Card (also called PM‑JAY E‑Card). The card acts as your entry pass to free healthcare.
Official PM‑JAY portal:
👉 https://www.pmjay.gov.in
2. Understanding the Hospital List
Only hospitals that are officially empanelled under Ayushman Bharat can provide free, cashless treatment under the scheme. These hospitals are listed by the National Health Authority (NHA) and are regularly updated.
What the Hospital List Tells You
✔ Hospital name and type (government/private)
✔ Address and contact details
✔ Available departments and medical specialties
✔ Whether the hospital provides cashless services
✔ Distance from your location (if using location‑based search)
In short, the hospital list shows you where you can actually receive treatment under Ayushman Bharat. Knowing how to access and use this list is essential.
3. Eligibility: Do You Qualify?
Before searching for hospitals, you need to confirm if you are eligible for PM‑JAY benefits.
Who is Covered?
✔ Families listed in the Socio‑Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011
✔ Rural households in deprived economic categories
✔ Street vendors, rickshaw pullers, hawkers
✔ Construction workers and informal sector workers
✔ Senior citizens (above 70 years) even if not in SECC list
You can check eligibility online using your name or mobile number and download your Ayushman Bharat card once confirmed.
Official eligibility check:
👉 https://www.pmjay.gov.in/check-eligibility
4. How to Find the Official Hospital List (Step‑by‑Step)
There are multiple official ways to find the list of hospitals where Ayushman Bharat cashless and free treatment is available. Below are the most trusted methods.
A. PM‑JAY Hospital Finder (Official Search Portal)
Best for: Nationwide search of all empanelled Ayushman Bharat hospitals
📌 Official Portal:
👉 https://hospitals.pmjay.gov.in/Search
This is the primary government platform for searching hospitals empanelled under PM‑JAY.
How to Use It
- Open the Hospital Finder portal in your web browser.
- Select your State and District from the dropdown menus.
- Choose hospital type (Government / Private / All).
- Optionally, choose department or specialty services.
- Click Search.
You will see a complete list of empanelled hospitals in your area, with:
✔ Contact phone numbers
✔ Detailed address
✔ Type of hospital
✔ Services offered
You can also sort hospitals by name or type to find one nearest to you.
B. Health Facility Registry (HFR)
📌 Official Portal:
👉 https://facility.abdm.gov.in/searchV2
This portal is part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and lists not only PM‑JAY empanelled hospitals but all registered health facilities.
Using HFR
- Go to the HFR portal.
- Use filters like location, facility type, and specialty.
- Enter keywords like “PM‑JAY” or “Empanelled Hospital”.
- Review the results.
This is especially useful if you want additional details about hospital services or operational status.
C. Mera PM‑JAY Mobile App
For many users, especially those without computers, the official mobile app makes the process simpler.
📱 How to Get It
✔ Search for “Mera PM‑JAY” in Google Play or Apple App Store
✔ Download and open the app
What You Can Do
✔ Search empanelled hospitals using GPS
✔ Filter by location, specialty, or name
✔ Call hospitals directly from the app
✔ Save hospital details for future reference
Mobile search makes it easy to locate hospitals on the go.
D. Ayushman Bharat Helpline
If you don’t have internet access or face difficulty using digital tools, you can call the official Ayushman Bharat helpline.
📞 National Toll‑Free Helpline:
☎ 14555 (available across India)
☎ 1800‑111‑565
When you call:
✔ Provide your state and district
✔ Ask for the list of empanelled hospitals near you
✔ Get guidance on how to reach them
The helpline staff can also help with eligibility checks and card queries.
E. Common Service Centers (CSCs)
In rural and semi‑urban areas, Common Service Centers (CSCs) help citizens access government services.
At a CSC, you can:
✔ Ask for a list of empanelled hospitals
✔ Print or save hospital contact information
✔ Apply for or download your Ayushman Bharat card
✔ Check your treatment coverage details
CSCs provide offline support for those who may not be comfortable with online platforms.
How to Confirm a Hospital Before Visiting
Once you find a hospital on the list, it’s important to confirm details before arriving for treatment.
Steps to Verify Before You Go
✔ Call the hospital’s Ayushman Bharat help desk
✔ Ask if your treatment type is covered
✔ Confirm cashless service availability
✔ Check if beds/doctors are available
✔ Ask about documents to bring
Verifying ahead saves time, travel costs, and last‑minute confusion.
What Documents You Need at the Hospital
When you go for treatment under Ayushman Bharat, make sure to carry:
📌 Ayushman Bharat Card (PM‑JAY E‑Card)
📌 Government ID (Aadhaar / Voter ID / Driving License)
📌 Any medical reports related to your condition
📌 Proof of address (if not on the card)
These documents help the hospital register you quickly and begin treatment without delay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQsQ1: Do I have to pay anything at the hospital?
Answer: No, if the hospital is empanelled under PM‑JAY and your treatment is covered, it is cashless and free up to ₹5 lakh per year.
Q2: Can I go to a private hospital for free treatment?
Answer: Yes! Many private hospitals are part of the Ayushman Bharat network and offer cashless services, as long as they are empanelled.
Q3: Can I use the scheme anywhere in India?
Answer: Yes, PM‑JAY allows you to get treatment anywhere in India at an empanelled hospital, regardless of your home state.
Q4: What types of treatments are covered?
Answer: Over 1,500 procedures are covered — including surgeries, cardiac care, oncology, orthopedics, dialysis, maternity, and more. Coverage also includes pre‑ and post‑hospitalization expenses
Common Challenges and Solutions
🚫 Hospital Not Listed Online
If you can’t find a hospital online:
✔ Try searching by nearby city/district
✔ Use the helpline (14555) for assistance
✔ Visit the nearest government hospital
Rewards often come from persistence: sometimes digital listings are updated later than physical notices.
🚫 Hospital Refuses Cashless Treatment
If a hospital denies service:
✔ Ask to speak to the PM‑JAY help desk inside the hospital
✔ Call the helpline to raise a grievance
✔ Visit the nearest public hospital for support
All empanelled hospitals are required to provide cashless service under the policy.
🚫 No Beds Available
If the hospital is full:
✔ Check other nearby empanelled hospitals
✔ Ask about waiting lists
✔ Confirm if outpatient services can begin while waiting
This may happen in peak seasons or emergency situations.
Tips to Get the Best Treatment Experience
To make your Ayushman Bharat treatment seamless:
🎯 Carry Multiple Hospital Options: Search at least 3 empanelled hospitals
🎯 Save Contact Numbers: Always note helpline and hospital phone numbers
🎯 Confirm Specialty Doctors: Ask if the doctor relevant to your condition is available
🎯 Keep Records: Carry all medical reports with you
🎯 Plan Ahead: Don’t delay searches until the day of admission
These small preparations can reduce stress and ensure better care.
Official Links to Bookmark
Here are the most important official Ayushman Bharat portals you should know:
🔗 PM‑JAY Official Website
👉 https://www.pmjay.gov.in
🔗 Hospital Finder (Empanelled Hospital List)
👉 https://hospitals.pmjay.gov.in/Search
🔗 Check Eligibility
👉 https://www.pmjay.gov.in/check-eligibility
🔗 Health Facility Registry (ABDM)
👉 https://facility.abdm.gov.in/searchV2
📞 National Helpline: 14555 / 1800‑111‑565
Keeping these links saved on your phone or browser makes future searches easier.
Conclusion: Your Right to Free Healthcare
Ayushman Bharat – PM‑JAY is a life‑changing national program that ensures no one in India is denied medical care due to financial hardship. But simply having a card isn’t enough — you must also know where to go for treatment.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the author does not guarantee that the hospital lists, contact details, or eligibility criteria are always up-to-date.