ESI, Ayushman Bharat converged, here's all you need to know

The Union Labour Ministry has announced the convergence of Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme with the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY to help 1.35 crore beneficiaries across 113 districts of 4 states – Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra – avail cashless medical treatment at Ayushman Bharat empaneled hospitals.

“The convergence will ensure that 1.35 crore ESI beneficiaries in such districts avail cashless medical services through empanelled hospitals of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY without any need of referral,” Ministry said in an official statement.

The beneficiaries must carry ESIC e-pehchaan card or health passbook along with their Aadhaar card to avail medical care. A list of empaneled hospitals in the 113 districts will be available on ESIC’s official website.

“The beneficiaries of PM-JAY can also avail cashless treatment at 15 underutilized ESIC hospitals/medical colleges in the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and UP,” statement further quoted.

At present, there are a total of 1,520 ESI dispensaries and 159 hospitals in the country, out of which 45 dispensaries are directly operated by ESIC, while the rest are under the state government.

Facilities available at the hospitals

1. ESI beneficiary will get all healthcare facilities in Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY hospitals

2. The beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY will be able to avail health facilities in the hospitals covered under ESIC.

3. ESIC beneficiaries will be able to get free treatment in hospitals of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY only through ESIS card.

4. Similarly, the beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY will be able to take advantage of the healthcare facilities in the hospitals covered under ESIC.

For these services, ESI e-ID card or health card and Aadhaar will be required. For further information for the needy, the Ministry has asked to contact the toll free helpline which is 1800 112 526/1800 113 839.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Santosh Kumar Gangwar launched the convergence of these schemes on the last day of ESIC Special Services Fortnight in New Delhi. He highlighted the efforts of ESIC hospitals in providing medical help during the Covid-19 crisis not only to the workers but also the general public.