Free Cataract Surgery Under Ayushman Bharat in UP — How to Apply

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY covers free cataract surgery at empanelled hospitals in Uttar Pradesh, including Indumati Netralaya in Prayagraj. Eligible families identified through SECC 2011 can get surgery with zero out-of-pocket cost. You need your Ayushman card, Aadhaar, and a doctor's referral to apply.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in India, yet the surgery to restore clear vision is straightforward and widely available. If cost is your concern, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) provides completely free cataract surgery to eligible families in Uttar Pradesh and across India. Here is everything you need to know about getting free cataract surgery under this government scheme.

What Is Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is the world's largest government-funded health insurance programme. It provides health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. The scheme targets economically vulnerable families identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) database. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly availed procedures under this scheme.

Who Is Eligible for Free Cataract Surgery?

You may be eligible for free cataract surgery under PM-JAY if your family falls into one of these categories:

• Families listed in the SECC 2011 database for rural or urban areas
• Households without a permanent shelter or surviving on manual casual labour
• SC/ST households, landless families dependent on manual labour
• Families where the primary earning member earns less than Rs 6,000 per month
• Families with no adult member between 16 and 59 years of age
• Destitute families, those receiving government alms, or tribal groups

Not sure if you are eligible? You can verify your eligibility instantly at pmjay.gov.in or by calling the Ayushman Bharat helpline at 14555. You can also visit our hospital and our team will check your eligibility on the spot.

Documents You Need

To avail free cataract surgery under Ayushman Bharat, please keep the following documents ready:

1. Ayushman Bharat Card or ABHA ID (Ayushman Bharat Health Account). If you do not have one, you can get it created at any Common Service Centre (CSC) or at our hospital.
2. Aadhaar Card for identity verification
3. One passport-size photograph
4. Ration Card (helpful but not always mandatory)

Step-by-Step Process to Get Free Surgery

Step 1: Visit the Hospital

Walk into any Ayushman Bharat empanelled hospital such as Indumati Netralaya. You do not need a prior appointment. Our front desk team will guide you through the entire process.

Step 2: Eligibility Verification

Our dedicated Ayushman Mitra at the hospital will verify your eligibility using your Aadhaar number or Ayushman card. This is done through the government's online portal and takes only a few minutes.

Step 3: Eye Examination and Pre-Operative Tests

Once your eligibility is confirmed, our ophthalmologist will conduct a thorough eye examination. If cataract surgery is recommended, we perform all necessary pre-operative tests including blood pressure check, blood sugar test, and detailed eye measurements for the correct lens.

Step 4: Surgery Day

Cataract surgery at Indumati Netralaya is performed using modern phacoemulsification (phaco) technique. The entire procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You will be discharged the same day in most cases.

Step 5: Free Post-Operative Care

After surgery, all follow-up visits, medications, and check-ups are covered under the scheme. We schedule follow-up visits at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after surgery to ensure the best outcomes.

What Is Included Free of Cost?

Under Ayushman Bharat at Indumati Netralaya, the following are completely free:

• Complete cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation
• All pre-operative diagnostic tests
• Surgical consumables and medicines
• Post-operative eye drops and medications
• Protective goggles after surgery
• All follow-up consultations for 30 days
• Hospital meals on the day of surgery

How to Check Your Eligibility Online

You can check whether you or your family members are eligible for Ayushman Bharat in three ways:

1. Online: Visit pmjay.gov.in, click on "Am I Eligible" and enter your mobile number with OTP verification
2. Helpline: Call 14555 (Ayushman Bharat toll-free helpline)
3. Visit us: Come to Indumati Netralaya and our Ayushman Mitra will check your eligibility within minutes

How Indumati Netralaya Helps

Indumati Netralaya is an officially empanelled hospital under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. Our team is experienced in handling all the paperwork and verification so that you can focus on your health. Here is what makes the process easy at our hospital:

• Dedicated Ayushman Mitra to assist with eligibility verification and documentation
• We help you create your Ayushman card or ABHA ID if you do not have one
• No advance payment or deposit required for eligible patients
• NABH Entry Level certified quality of care
• Same-day surgery and discharge in most cases
• Free transport from village camps for patients identified during outreach

Every year, thousands of patients in Prayagraj, Mirzapur, and Kaushambi districts lose their vision to cataracts unnecessarily. If you or a family member has blurry vision, do not delay. Free treatment is available and the process is simple.