The Ayushman Card has become a life-saving shield for millions of poor and needy families. This central government health scheme covers the substantial cost of treatment for serious illnesses. However, in recent times, cases of fraud and deception against innocent people in the name of Ayushman Card renewal have increased rapidly.
Fraudsters are scaring people by telling them that their card is about to expire. In today’s special article, we will explain whether this card really needs to be renewed every year and how you can protect yourself from these cunning fraudsters.
Truth About Ayushman Card Renewal
The general public is often misled into believing that the Ayushman Card is only valid for one year and requires frequent updates or renewals. However, the truth is that there is no need to renew the Ayushman Card every year. Once a card is issued to an eligible family or individual, it remains valid as long as the beneficiary meets the scheme’s prescribed eligibility criteria.
The most important thing to understand here is that the annual coverage limit of ₹5 lakh included in the card resets automatically every year. There’s no need to visit any official or visit any website to update it. Fraudsters exploit this lack of information and dupe people by promising renewals.
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Fraud is being woven in the name of the Ayushman Card
As Digital India expands, criminals have become increasingly cunning. Fraudsters, in the name of the Ayushman Card, primarily resort to fake calls. They call posing as officials and claim that their card is about to be blocked and that they should provide their Aadhaar number and the OTP received on their mobile phone to renew it.
Additionally, suspicious phishing links are sent via WhatsApp and SMS, claiming, “Click here to add your name to the new list.” Clicking on such links can result in your phone being hacked or your bank account being emptied. Some agents even demand illegal payments of ₹500 to ₹1000 for creating or updating your card, which is a complete fraud.
How to Avoid Fraudsters
The government and cybersecurity experts have clearly instructed the public to never share their personal information with strangers. Remember, the Government of India never contacts you via phone call or personal message for information related to the Ayushman Card. Always avoid tempting advertisements on social media that claim to “activate the card in 2 minutes.”
The Ayushman Card is made completely free, and paying any private agent for it is illegal. If someone asks you for money, they’re definitely a fraud, and you should immediately report them to the nearest police station or cyber cell.
What’s the correct way to get an Ayushman card
If you want to benefit from this scheme but haven’t yet received your card, follow the official route instead of falling prey to fraud. You can check your eligibility yourself and complete the e-KYC process through the central government’s official portal or the ‘Ayushman App’. Alternatively, you can get your card made by visiting your nearest Common Service Center (CSC).
Another reliable way is to go directly to the government or the listed private hospitals where ‘Ayushman Mitras’ are available to assist you. Once your card is made through these channels, you can easily download it and avail yourself of cashless treatment at thousands of hospitals across the country.
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