Ayushman Card 2026: People who move to another city or state for employment, education or other reasons can continue to access eligible healthcare benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The National Health Authority (NHA) has clarified that eligible Ayushman Card beneficiaries can receive cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals across India, subject to the scheme's coverage rules.

In an official social media message dated November 1, 2026, NHA highlighted the portability feature of the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

The authority explained that migrant workers, students living away from home and people requiring medical treatment while travelling can use their eligible Ayushman Card benefits at participating hospitals in other cities or states.

Beneficiaries seeking assistance can contact the official Ayushman Bharat helpline at 14555.

NHA Highlights Nationwide Ayushman Card Portability

The National Health Authority has emphasised that changing cities should not prevent eligible beneficiaries from accessing healthcare protection.

Under AB-PMJAY, eligible beneficiaries can seek covered treatment at empanelled hospitals across the country.

This feature is commonly known as national portability.

It is particularly useful for families whose members live or work outside their home state.

For example, a worker registered under the scheme in one state may be able to receive covered hospital treatment in another state without returning home.

However, the hospital must participate in the applicable scheme arrangements, and the treatment must satisfy the relevant eligibility and package conditions.

Ayushman Card 2026: Important Details

Can You Use an Ayushman Card in Another State?

Yes. Eligible PM-JAY beneficiaries can access covered treatment outside their home state through the scheme's portability mechanism.

The facility allows beneficiaries to approach participating hospitals in different parts of India.

This means that an eligible person does not necessarily need to travel back to their home district or state for covered hospital treatment.

However, the hospital's empanelment status and the availability of the required treatment package should be checked.

The scheme does not guarantee that every hospital or every medical service will be covered.

How Does Ayushman Card Portability Help Migrant Workers?

Many workers move from villages and smaller towns to major cities in search of employment.

Some live away from their families for extended periods.

If an eligible migrant worker requires hospital treatment, travelling back to the home state may not be practical.

PM-JAY's portability facility can help such beneficiaries seek covered treatment at participating hospitals near their place of work.

This can reduce the need to return to the state where their eligibility was originally established.

However, beneficiaries should confirm that the selected hospital is empanelled and that the proposed treatment is covered.

Can Students Use Their Ayushman Card Outside Their Home State?

Students pursuing education in another city may also benefit from national portability.

For example, an eligible student studying away from home may need hospital treatment during the academic year.

If the student is covered under the relevant PM-JAY beneficiary arrangement, the portability feature can enable access to eligible treatment at a participating hospital.

However, students do not become eligible for PM-JAY merely because they are studying outside their home state.

They must already satisfy the scheme's eligibility requirements.

What Happens if You Need Treatment While Travelling?

The NHA communication also highlights people who require treatment during travel.

Eligible beneficiaries may seek assistance at an empanelled hospital outside their usual place of residence.

This can be important when unexpected medical needs arise during a journey.

However, beneficiaries should remember that PM-JAY primarily covers specified hospitalisation-related services.

It should not be interpreted as unlimited coverage for every medical consultation, medicine purchase or healthcare expense.

How Much Free Treatment Is Available Under Ayushman Bharat?

Under the general AB-PMJAY framework, eligible families receive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for specified secondary and tertiary hospitalisation services.

The coverage is subject to scheme rules, approved packages and applicable beneficiary arrangements.

The benefit is generally provided through a cashless mechanism at participating hospitals.

State-specific programmes and special beneficiary categories may have additional or different provisions.

The ₹5 lakh amount should not be interpreted as a guaranteed cash payment to the beneficiary.

It represents the applicable annual health coverage limit under the scheme.

How to Find an Ayushman Bharat Empanelled Hospital

Beneficiaries can check hospital availability through official PM-JAY channels.

Step 1: Visit the official PM-JAY website at https://pmjay.gov.in/.

Step 2: Access the available hospital search or empanelled hospital information service.

Step 3: Select the relevant state, district or location.

Step 4: Check the hospitals participating in the scheme.

Step 5: Confirm whether the hospital offers the required treatment specialty or package.

Step 6: Contact the hospital's Ayushman helpdesk for assistance.

Beneficiaries can also call 14555 for guidance.

Hospital participation and available services can change, so it is advisable to confirm details before planned treatment.

How to Receive Cashless Treatment Using an Ayushman Card

Eligible beneficiaries can follow the general process below.

Step 1: Visit a participating empanelled hospital.

Step 2: Contact the Ayushman helpdesk or designated scheme representative.

Step 3: Provide the required beneficiary identification details.

Step 4: Complete the prescribed verification process.

Step 5: Allow the hospital to check the proposed treatment against applicable PM-JAY coverage rules.

Step 6: Complete any required pre-authorisation process.

Step 7: Receive eligible cashless treatment after the necessary approvals.

The exact procedure depends on the treatment, hospital and applicable scheme arrangements.

Beneficiaries should not assume that every medical service is automatically approved.

What Documents Should You Carry?

An eligible beneficiary should carry their Ayushman Card or available beneficiary identification details.

The hospital may also request identity verification and relevant medical records.

Depending on the situation, additional information may be needed for beneficiary verification.

People travelling for planned treatment should confirm document requirements with the hospital beforehand.

Does the Ayushman Card Cover Every Hospital?

No. The scheme's cashless treatment facility is available through participating empanelled hospitals under the applicable arrangements.

A hospital that is not empanelled may not be able to provide treatment under PM-JAY.

Even at an empanelled hospital, treatment coverage depends on the approved package and other scheme conditions.

Therefore, beneficiaries should verify the hospital's participation and the availability of the required service.

What if a Hospital Refuses Ayushman Card Treatment?

If an eligible beneficiary experiences difficulty obtaining covered treatment, they should first contact the hospital's Ayushman helpdesk.

They can ask for clarification about the reason for refusal or the status of the proposed treatment.

If the issue remains unresolved, they can seek assistance through the official PM-JAY helpline.

Ayushman Bharat Helpline: 14555

Beneficiaries should provide accurate details about the hospital and the issue when requesting assistance.

Important Precautions for Ayushman Card Holders

Beneficiaries should use official government channels to check eligibility and locate empanelled hospitals.

They should avoid sharing OTPs, passwords or sensitive identification details with unknown individuals.

They should also be cautious of people demanding unofficial payments in exchange for guaranteed cashless treatment.

If a hospital requests payment for a service claimed to be covered, beneficiaries should seek clarification through the authorised hospital helpdesk or official grievance channels.

Conclusion

The National Health Authority's latest message highlights an important feature of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: eligible beneficiaries can access covered cashless hospital treatment even when they are away from their home state.

The portability facility is especially relevant to migrant workers, students and people travelling across India.

However, beneficiaries must use participating hospitals and comply with the applicable treatment and eligibility conditions.

For information about hospital availability, coverage or treatment-related difficulties, beneficiaries can contact the official helpline at 14555.

Source Credit: National Health Authority (@AyushmanNHA), Government of India, official X post dated November 1, 2026.

Original Source: https://x.com/AyushmanNHA/status/2116787813509390421

Official PM-JAY Website: https://pmjay.gov.in/

Beneficiary Portal: https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/

Disclaimer: This article is based on the NHA's official public awareness message and general PM-JAY provisions. Eligibility, hospital empanelment, treatment packages, pre-authorisation and coverage conditions are governed by the applicable scheme rules. The Ayushman Card does not provide unlimited treatment at every hospital.