What is the main goal of the Ayushman Bharat scheme?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
To provide affordable healthcare
Explanation
The primary goal of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogyar Yojana or PM-JAY) is to provide affordable healthcare and financial risk protection against catastrophic health expenditures to poor, vulnerable, and marginalized sections of society. Launched by the Government of India, it is recognized as the world's largest government-funded health assurance scheme.
The scheme offers a health cover of ₹5 Lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. It covers up to 3 days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days of post-hospitalization expenses, including diagnostics and medicines. The system operates in a completely cashless and paperless manner at all paneled public and private hospitals across the country.
Key Points
The scheme targets more than 12 crore poor and vulnerable families (benefiting roughly 55 crore individuals) identified based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) database.
Ayushman Bharat rests on two major pillars: the creation of Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) to provide comprehensive primary healthcare, and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for secondary and tertiary health coverage.
Other options like education, agriculture, and transportation are governed by separate dedicated flagship schemes of the government, such as Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, PM-KISAN, and PM Gram Sadak Yojana respectively.
Important Questions and Answers
Question: What is the maximum annual financial health coverage provided per family under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme?
Answer: The scheme provides a health cover of ₹5 Lakh per family per year.
Question: Which nodal agency is responsible for the overall implementation of the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme across India?
Answer: The National Health Authority (NHA) is the apex body responsible for implementing the scheme.