Yes, the Ayushman card at AIIMS works for treatment that needs admission. Under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, every government hospital with in-patient services is treated as empanelled, so AIIMS institutes accept the card for hospital stays and day-care procedures. The card does not cover ordinary OPD visits. This guide explains what an Ayushman card covers at AIIMS, what to carry and where to go, using only official sources.
General information, not medical or legal advice. Scheme rules change. Confirm at the AIIMS Ayushman desk or on helpline 14555. Sources were read on 7 October 2026.
Table of Contents
Does AIIMS accept the Ayushman card?
The Health Ministry states that “All Government hospitals with in-patient services are deemed empanelled under AB-PMJAY”. It also says that empanelled hospitals cannot deny treatment to eligible beneficiaries. AIIMS institutes are government hospitals with in-patient services, so an eligible Ayushman card holder can use the card at AIIMS for covered treatment.
हिंदी में: हाँ, एम्स में आयुष्मान कार्ड चलता है, लेकिन सिर्फ भर्ती (और डे-केयर) इलाज के लिए। सामान्य ओपीडी परामर्श इस योजना में शामिल नहीं है।
What the Ayushman card covers at AIIMS, and what it does not
| Covered | Not covered or limited |
|---|---|
| Hospital admission (secondary and tertiary care), up to ₹5 lakh per family per year | OPD consultations: “The OPD cases are not covered” (AIIMS New Delhi) |
| Day-care procedures (AIIMS New Delhi booklet) | Treatment outside the approved packages, which needs special approval |
| Investigations, surgery, medicines, implants, consumables and food within the package (AIIMS New Delhi booklet) | Costs above the yearly limit, which the patient pays |
| Up to 15 days of medicines at discharge (AIIMS New Delhi booklet) | Private rooms: beneficiaries are admitted to general wards |
The Health Ministry told Parliament that the cover is for hospitalisation and that there is “no proposal to extend the coverage of these schemes to out-patient services”. In practice, you pay normal OPD fees for the consultation. The Ayushman card is used once the doctor decides you need admission or a covered day-care procedure.
Within the limit, the AIIMS New Delhi booklet says the hospital “cannot charge any additional money” for covered treatment. If the ₹5 lakh is used up, any further cost is borne by the patient.
How to use the Ayushman card at AIIMS: step by step
- Get seen in the OPD as usual. Register and consult the doctor (see our AIIMS online appointment guide). The OPD fee is not covered.
- When admission is advised, go to the Ayushman desk with your card and an ID. At AIIMS New Delhi this is the Ayushman Bharat Kendra, near Gate No. 1, opposite the RAK OPD.
- Eligibility check. The desk (Arogya Mitra) verifies your card, or helps create it if you are eligible but have no card yet.
- Pre-authorisation. The treating doctor selects the treatment package and the desk seeks approval. In an emergency, treatment starts first and approval is sought at the same time.
- Treatment and discharge. At discharge, the desk closes the case on the portal. Keep your discharge papers.
Documents to carry for the Ayushman card at AIIMS
AIIMS New Delhi asks for the Ayushman (golden) card or its details, plus one photo ID such as an Aadhaar card, voter ID, PAN card or driving licence. Identity is checked through Aadhaar-based e-KYC. The AIIMS New Delhi booklet says “the card is free and no fee is to be paid”. Never pay anyone to make your Ayushman card.
Ayushman card at AIIMS: what each institute publishes
| AIIMS | What its own website says |
|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | Ayushman Bharat Kendra near Gate No. 1, opposite RAK OPD, open 24×7. Landline 011-26593251, email abpmjayaiims@gmail.com (booklet dated October 2021). |
| AIIMS Bilaspur (Himachal) | Runs PM-JAY and HIMCARE through a designated counter, with steps from eligibility check to discharge. Phone 01978-280500. |
| AIIMS Bathinda | Ayushman Bharat line 98777 96447 (9 AM to 5 PM). |
| AIIMS Rishikesh | Special desks for patients admitted under Ayushman Bharat. |
| AIIMS Guwahati | AB-PMJAY services activated for beneficiaries. |
| AIIMS Mangalagiri | PM-JAY and Aarogyasri insurance services operational. |
Other AIIMS institutes, such as Patna, Bhopal, Raipur and Deoghar, do not publish desk details that we could find. Because all government hospitals with in-patient services are deemed empanelled, ask at the hospital’s enquiry or medical social service counter for the Ayushman desk.
Delhi and senior citizens (70+)
- Delhi: Delhi signed the PM-JAY agreement in April 2025. The Delhi government added ₹5 lakh, so beneficiary families in Delhi get ₹10 lakh of cover a year.
- Age 70 and above: the Ayushman Vay Vandana card gives ₹5 lakh of free cover to every senior citizen aged 70 or over, whatever their income. Seniors in families already covered get an extra top-up of up to ₹5 lakh for themselves. Register at an empanelled hospital, in the Ayushman app or at beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
- CGHS, ECHS or CAPF members aged 70+ must choose either their existing scheme or PM-JAY.
If the AIIMS desk refuses or you face a problem
Call the PM-JAY helpline 14555. PM-JAY has a three-tier grievance system at district, state and national level, and you can also complain through the online grievance portal, by email or by letter to your State Health Agency. Hospitals cannot deny treatment to eligible beneficiaries.
Because OPD visits, tests before admission and treatment beyond ₹5 lakh are not covered, many families also keep a separate health insurance policy. Check what any policy covers at government hospitals before you buy it.
Do you run a clinic or practise near AIIMS? We publish useful, accurate guest articles from registered doctors and clinics. Read our Write for Us guidelines.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ayushman card accepted at AIIMS?
Yes, for covered in-patient and day-care treatment. Government hospitals with in-patient services are deemed empanelled under PM-JAY.
Does the Ayushman card cover AIIMS OPD fees?
No. PM-JAY covers hospitalisation. AIIMS New Delhi says OPD cases are not covered.
क्या एम्स में आयुष्मान कार्ड चलता है?
हाँ, भर्ती होकर इलाज (और डे-केयर) के लिए। ओपीडी फीस इसमें शामिल नहीं है। हेल्पलाइन: 14555।
Where is the Ayushman desk at AIIMS Delhi?
The Ayushman Bharat Kendra is near Gate No. 1, opposite the RAK OPD. Landline: 011-26593251.
Can I get a private room with the Ayushman card at AIIMS?
The AIIMS New Delhi booklet says beneficiaries are admitted to general wards.
Is there a fee for the Ayushman card?
No. The card is free.
Sources checked
- PIB, 28 March 2025: government hospitals deemed empanelled; grievances; helpline 14555
- PIB, 23 September 2020: hospitalisation cover, no OPD extension
- PIB, 9 December 2024: Ayushman Vay Vandana card for 70+ and PIB, April 2025: Delhi joins PM-JAY
- PIB: Aadhaar-based e-KYC for PM-JAY
- AIIMS New Delhi: AB-PMJAY information booklet (PDF, October 2021)
- Institute pages: AIIMS Bilaspur, AIIMS Bathinda, AIIMS Rishikesh, AIIMS Guwahati, AIIMS Mangalagiri (read on 7 October 2026).
