What is the Ayushman Bharat in Chandigarh?

QUICK GIST

Chandigarh implements Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY directly, without a separate state-branded scheme. Eligible families get cashless, paperless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation, at government and empanelled private hospitals. Eligibility follows PM-JAY’s criteria, originally drawn from SECC 2011, with later national expansions. Since late 2024, all residents aged 70 and above qualify under Ayushman Vay Vandana, regardless of income. Use of the scheme in the UT has grown steadily: as per a Lok Sabha answer, hospital admissions rose from 5,206 in 2020-21 to 10,271 in 2022-23. The card also works at PM-JAY hospitals across India. Helpline: 14555.

Ayushman Bharat in Chandigarh: ₹5 Lakh of Cover in a City Built Around a Hospital

The City Beautiful, and a big hospital next door

Chandigarh is small, planned and green. It’s also home to one of North India’s best-known public hospitals, PGIMER, which draws patients from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and beyond.

For eligible Chandigarh families, Ayushman Bharat makes that kind of care cashless, up to ₹5 lakh a year. And since 2024, every resident aged 70 or more can join too.

But Ayushman Bharat isn’t automatic for every Chandigarh family. Here’s who qualifies and how to plan around it.

Living in Sector 22, parents in Mohali, in-laws in Panchkula? That’s three governments and a lot of paperwork. Book a call with us and we’ll help you sort it. Faster than a roundabout at rush hour.

What the scheme covers

• ₹5 lakh per family per year, entitlement-based, floater.
• Cashless and paperless treatment at government and empanelled private hospitals.
• Wide procedure range, including surgery, oncology, nephrology and cardiology.
• Portable across India.
• Seniors 70+ covered regardless of income, through Vay Vandana.
• No premium.

Got a private policy too? Know Your Policy decodes it into plain language: benefits, limits, waiting periods and exclusions. Useful for comparing it with your Ayushman cover.

How to get your Ayushman card

1. Check eligibility on the PM-JAY beneficiary portal or the Ayushman app.
2. Visit an empanelled hospital or authorised centre and speak to the Ayushman Mitra.
3. Complete Aadhaar verification.
4. Download or collect your card.
5. Use it at an empanelled hospital.

Helpline: 14555.

Check your status now. Visit the official PM-JAY beneficiary portal. Takes less time than finding parking in Sector 17.

 

Family across Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana? The CoverSure State Health Scheme Calculator compares all three.

Worth knowing

It isn’t for everyone. Regular PM-JAY eligibility follows set criteria. Many salaried Chandigarh families won’t qualify, except through the 70+ route.

Seniors under other schemes must choose. Those under CGHS, ECHS or CAPF schemes choose between their existing scheme and PM-JAY.

Hospital stays only. Routine OPD visits aren’t covered.

Big hospitals get busy. Popular public hospitals can have long waits for planned procedures. Ask about other empanelled options too.

Salaried, with a corporate policy and parents on Vay Vandana? A Policy Health Check reviews your private plan across 30+ parameters for ₹99, against 1,500+ plans. Make sure the family’s cover fits together.

 

Ayushman card for your parents, office policy for you, car insurance for the Activa? Add your state scheme to your CoverSure insurance portfolio and see it all in one app. Turn on Family Share so siblings in Canada can see the details too.

Ayushman Bharat vs a private plan

What Ayushman Bharat does well

• ₹5 lakh free for eligible families.
• Seniors 70+ covered regardless of income.
• Strong public hospitals in and around the city.
• Portable across India.

Where a private plan usually adds more

• Open to anyone who meets the insurer’s rules.
• Higher sums insured.
• Room choice and shorter waits at private hospitals.
• Restoration, cumulative bonus and tax benefits (Section 80D, old regime; please verify limits).

When ₹5 lakh meets a big year

Meet the Sainis (a hypothetical eligible family; numbers are illustrative). They live in Maloya.

Event in the year (hypothetical)	Used from the ₹5 lakh
Father’s kidney transplant-related treatment	₹3.2 lakh
Daughter’s appendix surgery	₹60,000
Mother’s cataract surgery (she’s 72, so Vay Vandana can apply separately)	Separate senior cover
Left for the family that year	₹1.2 lakh

 

Under-covered or over-covered? The CoverRisk Calculator weighs your income, life stage, dependants and liabilities and gives you a clear answer. Free.

Who is eligible?

• Families eligible under PM-JAY, originally from SECC 2011, plus later national expansions.
• All residents aged 70+, regardless of income.

At a glance

Detail	Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (Chandigarh)
Cover	₹5 lakh per family per year
Who qualifies	PM-JAY-eligible families; all residents 70+
Admissions	5,206 (2020-21) to 10,271 (2022-23), per Lok Sabha data
Hospitals	Government and empanelled private hospitals; portable across India
Premium	None
Main limitations	Not universal, no OPD, empanelled hospitals only
Helpline	14555
Official website	beneficiary.nha.gov.in

 

Want the quick version? Chandigarh’s Ayushman basics in a short LinkedIn carousel. Swipe through it on CoverSure’s LinkedIn and share it with the Sector group chat.

Quick answers (FAQs)

1. Is there a separate Chandigarh health scheme? No. Chandigarh runs Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.
2. How much cover does it give? ₹5 lakh per family per year.
3. Can I use the Ayushman card at PGIMER? PGIMER treats PM-JAY beneficiaries; confirm the specific department and package with the hospital.
4. Are seniors covered? All residents aged 70+ are eligible, regardless of income.
5. Can I use it outside Chandigarh? Yes, across India.
6. Is OPD covered? No.
7. Is there a premium? No.
8. “Hey Google, what’s the Ayushman helpline?” Call 14555.

Ayushman covers the hospital. CoverSure covers the rest. Download the CoverSure app for policy storage, renewal reminders and SOS alerts.

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