Free hospital treatment: Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva and Ayushman Bharat
How to find out whether your family is covered for free hospital treatment under Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva or Ayushman Bharat, how to get cashless treatment at a network hospital, and where to complain if you are asked to pay.
About this guidePending verification
Published on 12-11-2026. Not every fact has been checked against its official source yet: confirm at the office.
For whom: Families in Andhra Pradesh with a rice card or within the income limits, people aged 70 or more, road accident victims, and family members helping them.
In an emergency, call at once
108Emergency ambulance (toll free)Answer the questions below first. Then the documents and steps open.
1Your situation
We show only what your answers need.
- Which of these is the person who needs treatment?
- Does your family have an Andhra Pradesh rice card?
- Does your family meet all of these? Yearly income up to ₹5 lakh. Less than 12 acres of wet land, less than 35 acres of dry land, and less than 35 acres in all. In a town, the house you pay property tax on is under 3,000 square feet. Not more than one personal car. No permanent government employee or government pensioner in the family.
- Is the person who needs treatment 70 or older?
- What is the situation now?
Your answers stay on this phone.
Each step below says who it is for. Confirm yours at the office, then change your answer here.
We could not confirm whether this applies to you
The Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva and Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY, Vay Vandana) rules we read say nothing about Indian citizens living abroad. The Trust says Vaidya Seva is for poor families of Andhra Pradesh. The Trust's eligibility page says all rice card holders are eligible, and gives land and income limits for other families. First, ask the Vaidyamithra at a network hospital, or call 104, whether you are covered.
Sources: 2, 3, 12, 10, 1
We could not confirm whether this applies to you
The Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva and Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY, Vay Vandana) rules we read say nothing about OCI cardholders. The Trust says Vaidya Seva is for poor families of Andhra Pradesh. The Trust's eligibility page says all rice card holders are eligible, and gives land and income limits for other families. Under the Andhra Pradesh TPDS (Control) Order, 2018, only Indian citizens can be on a rice card. Under the Ministry of Home Affairs notification S.O. 1050(E) of 4 March 2021, an OCI cardholder is a foreign national, not an Indian citizen, and in economic, financial and educational fields the notification does not name has the same rights as a foreigner. First, ask the Vaidyamithra at a network hospital, or call 104, whether you are covered.
Sources: 2, 3, 12, 10, 15, 1, 16
We could not confirm whether this applies to you
The Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva and Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY, Vay Vandana) rules we read say nothing about foreign nationals. The Trust says Vaidya Seva is for poor families of Andhra Pradesh. The Trust's eligibility page says all rice card holders are eligible, and gives land and income limits for other families. Under the Andhra Pradesh TPDS (Control) Order, 2018, only Indian citizens can be on a rice card. First, ask the Vaidyamithra at a network hospital, or call 104, whether you are covered.
Sources: 2, 3, 12, 10, 1, 16
2Documents you need
Tick the ones you have. They are kept in this browser.
Details
Sources: 5, 3
Details
Sources: 10, 12
Details
Any one of: Aadhaar, ration card, voter ID, PAN card, driving licence, MGNREGA job card, pension photo card, disability ID, birth certificate, or another government ID with a photo.
Sources: 12
Details
Sources: 5
Details
For employees, a salary certificate; for people who file income tax returns, the return.
Not confirmed: The Trust’s page does not give the full list of documents asked for now. Ask at the secretariat.
Sources: 3
Nothing to get ready before these steps.
3Your steps
· Do them in order. Tick each one when it is done.
- Do this nowIf: A road accident
After a road accident, call 108 for an ambulance and go to the nearest network hospital.
Under section 162 of the Motor Vehicles Act, network hospitals must treat road accident victims at once. The "PM RAHAT" scheme gives cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim, for up to 7 days from the day of the accident.
Not confirmed
The PM RAHAT details are from the Trust’s 2026 circular to hospitals; we did not read the scheme’s own rules. Ask the Vaidyamithra at the hospital whether treatment beyond ₹1.5 lakh or 7 days continues on a Vaidya Seva card.
Sources: 9, 4
- Do this nowIf: YesIf: Another emergency (sudden serious illness)
In an emergency, go straight to the nearest network hospital; call 108 for an ambulance.
In life-threatening emergencies the hospital gets the Trust’s approval at once by phone.
Sources: 5, 2, 4
- Do this nowIf: Yes, all of themIf: Another emergency (sudden serious illness)
In an emergency, go straight to the nearest network hospital; call 108 for an ambulance.
In life-threatening emergencies the hospital gets the Trust’s approval at once by phone.
Not confirmed
We found no rule on what an emergency patient without a card must show. Tell the Vaidyamithra at once and call 104.
Sources: 5, 2, 4
- Do this nowIf: NoIf: Yes, 70 or olderIf: Another emergency (sudden serious illness)
In an emergency, go straight to the nearest network hospital; call 108 for an ambulance.
In life-threatening emergencies the hospital gets the Trust’s approval at once by phone.
Not confirmed
We found no rule on what an emergency patient without a card must show. Tell the Vaidyamithra at once and call 104.
Sources: 5, 2, 4
- Do this nowIf: NoIf: No, under 70If: Another emergency (sudden serious illness)
In an emergency, call 108 for an ambulance.
From your answers these schemes may not cover you, so treatment at a network hospital may not be cashless. The Trust says government hospitals, from the PHC to the district hospital, give free treatment for illnesses outside the scheme.
Not confirmed
We found no official page on emergency treatment for a patient these schemes do not cover. Call 104 and ask.
Sources: 4, 5
- Do this now
Know the scheme: Andhra Pradesh’s health scheme is "Dr.
NTR Vaidya Seva" (called "Dr. YSR Aarogyasri" in orders before 2024), run by the Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust. It gives cashless treatment at network hospitals. Under a 2023 order it covers up to ₹25 lakh per family a year, and the family can use it as many times as needed in the year. Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) covers ₹5 lakh per family a year across India.
Sources: 1, 2, 7, 5, 10
- Do this nowIf: Yes
All families with a rice card are covered by Dr.
NTR Vaidya Seva. No separate enrolment is needed. Take the card with you to the hospital.
Sources: 3, 5
- Do this nowIf: Yes, all of them
If you have no rice card but meet these limits, apply for a Dr.
NTR Vaidya Seva health card at your Swarna Gramam or Swarna Wardu office (village or ward secretariat).
Not confirmed
The Trust’s page says to apply at the secretariat and that a volunteer household survey is required; that detail may be old. Ask at the secretariat how to apply now, whether there is a fee and when the card comes.
Sources: 4, 3, 14
- Do this nowIf: No
Call the national toll-free helpline 14555 to find out whether your family is on the Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) list.
If it is, you are covered, with no payment or registration needed.
Not confirmed
The PM-JAY websites (pmjay.gov.in, nha.gov.in) did not open while we wrote this; the helpline number is from a 2019 PM-JAY document and a 2024 PIB document.
Sources: 12, 10
- Do this nowIf: NoIf: No, under 70
If 14555 says your family is on the list, take a photo ID to any government hospital or empanelled private hospital to be identified as a beneficiary.
If you are not on the list, these schemes may not cover you: call 104 and ask.
Not confirmed
This is from a 2019 PM-JAY document; ask 14555 whether it is still done this way.
Sources: 12, 5
- Do this nowIf: Yes, 70 or older
Everyone aged 70 or more, whatever their income, can get an Ayushman Vay Vandana card.
A person of 70 or more who was not covered before gets ₹5 lakh a year. Someone who already has another government health scheme, such as CGHS, can choose between that scheme and Ayushman Bharat. You enrol with your Aadhaar. In NHA’s "Ayushman App" (Android) you can verify yourself and make the card. For questions, give a missed call to 1800-110-770 or call 14555.
Not confirmed
We found no Andhra Pradesh order saying how the Vay Vandana card works together with Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva. Ask the Vaidyamithra at the hospital.
Sources: 10, 11
- Do this nowIf: YesIf: Not an emergency: planned treatment
Find a nearby network hospital: on the Trust website you can search by state, district, mandal and speciality; the results give each hospital’s address and its Mithra’s phone number.
Or call 104 and ask.
Open the official pageSources: 6, 5
- Do this nowIf: Yes, all of themIf: Not an emergency: planned treatment
Find a nearby network hospital: on the Trust website you can search by state, district, mandal and speciality; the results give each hospital’s address and its Mithra’s phone number.
Or call 104 and ask.
Open the official pageSources: 6, 5
- Do this nowIf: NoIf: Yes, 70 or olderIf: Not an emergency: planned treatment
Find a nearby network hospital: on the Trust website you can search by state, district, mandal and speciality; the results give each hospital’s address and its Mithra’s phone number.
Or call 104 and ask.
Open the official pageSources: 6, 5
- Do this nowIf: YesIf: Not an emergency: planned treatment
First go to a nearby government hospital, PHC or CHC, village health clinic, or a health camp held by a network hospital, with your rice card or health card and reports.
The Vaidyamithra there helps with the check-up and, if needed, the referral to a network hospital. The 104 family physician can also refer you directly.
Not confirmed
This is from the Trust website’s FAQ page, which has some old details (it counts 2,434 treatments; the 2023 order counts 3,257), so some steps may have changed. Ask the Vaidyamithra or call 104.
Sources: 5, 4, 7
- Do this nowIf: Yes, all of themIf: Not an emergency: planned treatment
First go to a nearby government hospital, PHC or CHC, village health clinic, or a health camp held by a network hospital, with your health card and reports.
The Vaidyamithra there helps with the check-up and, if needed, the referral to a network hospital. The 104 family physician can also refer you directly.
Not confirmed
This is from the Trust website’s FAQ page, which has some old details (it counts 2,434 treatments; the 2023 order counts 3,257), so some steps may have changed. Ask the Vaidyamithra or call 104.
Sources: 5, 4, 7
- Do this nowIf: NoIf: Yes, 70 or olderIf: Not an emergency: planned treatment
First go to a nearby government hospital, PHC or CHC, village health clinic, or a health camp held by a network hospital, with your card and reports.
The Vaidyamithra there helps with the check-up and, if needed, the referral to a network hospital. The 104 family physician can also refer you directly.
Not confirmed
This is from the Trust website’s FAQ page, which has some old details (it counts 2,434 treatments; the 2023 order counts 3,257), so some steps may have changed. Ask the Vaidyamithra or call 104.
Sources: 5, 4, 7
- Do this nowIf: Yes
At the network hospital, go to the Dr.
NTR Vaidya Seva counter near reception. The Vaidyamithra (in a uniform apron) checks your rice card or health card, takes your photo and registers you. The hospital gets the Trust’s prior approval online; for planned treatment it is given within 12 hours.
Not confirmed
This is from the Trust website’s FAQ page, which has some old details (it counts 2,434 treatments; the 2023 order counts 3,257), so some steps may have changed. Ask the Vaidyamithra or call 104.
Sources: 5, 2, 12, 7
- Do this nowIf: Yes, all of them
At the network hospital, go to the Dr.
NTR Vaidya Seva counter near reception. The Vaidyamithra (in a uniform apron) checks your health card, takes your photo and registers you. The hospital gets the Trust’s prior approval online; for planned treatment it is given within 12 hours.
Not confirmed
This is from the Trust website’s FAQ page, which has some old details (it counts 2,434 treatments; the 2023 order counts 3,257), so some steps may have changed. We found no rule on what to show before your health card comes. Ask the Vaidyamithra or call 104.
Sources: 5, 2, 12, 7
- Do this nowIf: NoIf: Yes, 70 or older
At the network hospital, go to the Dr.
NTR Vaidya Seva counter near reception. The Vaidyamithra (in a uniform apron) checks your card, takes your photo and registers you. The hospital gets the Trust’s prior approval online; for planned treatment it is given within 12 hours.
Not confirmed
This is from the Trust website’s FAQ page, which has some old details (it counts 2,434 treatments; the 2023 order counts 3,257), so some steps may have changed. Ask the Vaidyamithra or call 104.
Sources: 5, 2, 12, 7
- Do this nowIf: Yes
You do not pay for treatment the scheme covers: admission, daily doctor visits, nursing, tests, medicines, the operation or treatment, and two meals a day are all free.
Sources: 4
- Do this nowIf: Yes, all of them
You do not pay for treatment the scheme covers: admission, daily doctor visits, nursing, tests, medicines, the operation or treatment, and two meals a day are all free.
Sources: 4
- Do this nowIf: NoIf: Yes, 70 or older
You do not pay for treatment the scheme covers: admission, daily doctor visits, nursing, tests, medicines, the operation or treatment, and two meals a day are all free.
Sources: 4
- Do this nowIf: Yes
When you are discharged, collect 10 days of medicines and your bus fare home.
You give a confirmation letter that you faced no problem and paid nothing, and a consent letter for the Trust to pay the hospital. For some treatments, give your bank passbook details to the Vaidyamithra for the recovery allowance (Aarogya Aasara). Follow-up care after 10 days from discharge is also free. For 138 listed treatments, follow-up medicines are free for one year: ask the Vaidyamithra whether yours is one.
Sources: 4
- Do this nowIf: Yes, all of them
When you are discharged, collect 10 days of medicines and your bus fare home.
You give a confirmation letter that you faced no problem and paid nothing, and a consent letter for the Trust to pay the hospital. For some treatments, give your bank passbook details to the Vaidyamithra for the recovery allowance (Aarogya Aasara). Follow-up care after 10 days from discharge is also free. For 138 listed treatments, follow-up medicines are free for one year: ask the Vaidyamithra whether yours is one.
Sources: 4
- Do this nowIf: NoIf: Yes, 70 or older
When you are discharged, collect 10 days of medicines and your bus fare home.
You give a confirmation letter that you faced no problem and paid nothing, and a consent letter for the Trust to pay the hospital. For some treatments, give your bank passbook details to the Vaidyamithra for the recovery allowance (Aarogya Aasara). Follow-up care after 10 days from discharge is also free. For 138 listed treatments, follow-up medicines are free for one year: ask the Vaidyamithra whether yours is one.
Sources: 4
If something goes wrong
If you are asked for more moneyFirst make sure the hospital is a network hospital for your treatment: ask the Vaidyamithra or call 104.
First make sure the hospital is a network hospital for your treatment: ask the Vaidyamithra or call 104. Treatment is cashless only in a network hospital. If a network hospital asks you to pay for treatment the scheme covers, tell the Vaidyamithra there. Then call 104 to complain. If someone asks for a bribe, you can call the ACB toll-free on 14400. For treatment on an Ayushman Bharat card there is also the national helpline 14555.
Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva: information and complaints (104) · Open the official page
Sources: 4, 5, 12
If it is rejectedIf you are told your card was not found or the treatment was not approved, ask the Vaidyamithra and the hospital’s MEDCO (the person at the hospital who sends the approval request to the Trust) why.
If you are told your card was not found or the treatment was not approved, ask the Vaidyamithra and the hospital’s MEDCO (the person at the hospital who sends the approval request to the Trust) why. Then call 104. If that does not solve it, file a grievance on PGRS: at the secretariat, at the Collectorate on Monday, on the PGRS website or in its app. You need your Aadhaar number to file it. PGRS sets a time of 24 hours to 90 days by subject, and you can re-open a grievance twice if you are not satisfied.
Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS) · Open the official page
Sources: 5, 4, 2, 8, 13
If it is lateIf the prior approval is slow, ask the Vaidyamithra and the MEDCO (the person at the hospital who sends the approval request to the Trust).
If the prior approval is slow, ask the Vaidyamithra and the MEDCO (the person at the hospital who sends the approval request to the Trust). The Trust says approval is given within 12 hours for planned treatment and at once by phone in emergencies. If it is still slow, call 104.
Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva: information and complaints (104) · Open the official page
Sources: 2, 4, 8
AlsoIf your family has no rice card, does not meet the limits, is not on the Ayushman Bharat list and the patient is under 70, these schemes may not cover you.
If your family has no rice card, does not meet the limits, is not on the Ayushman Bharat list and the patient is under 70, these schemes may not cover you. Government hospitals, from the PHC to the district hospital, give free treatment for illnesses outside the scheme. Call 104 and ask. State government employees and pensioners and their dependants come under the Employees Health Scheme (EHS) of the same Trust: use your EHS card.
Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva: information and complaints (104) · Open the official page
Sources: 5, 3, 10, 4
Official websites for this work
- Dr NTR Vaidya Seva (Andhra Pradesh) The health scheme and its hospitals
- PGRS (Andhra Pradesh) Complain to the state government
Related guides
The 16 official pages and papers this guide is written from
- Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust website, home pageDr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Header ('Call 104'); 'Our Healthcare Schemes': Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva · read on 30-10-2026
- About UsDr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Introduction; Pre-Authorisation; Telephonic Approval; Aarogyamithra · read on 30-10-2026
- Am I EligibleDr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Whole page (rice card holders; criteria for other families) · read on 30-10-2026
- My EntitlementsDr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Whole page (cashless services; applying for the card; referral; follow-up medicines for 138 procedures; discharge letters; 104, 108, 14400) · read on 30-10-2026
- FAQ's (Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva section)Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Questions on the financial coverage, the ailments covered, other diseases, enrolment, network hospitals, Vaidyamithra and how to avail the benefits; 'What is EHS?' · read on 30-10-2026
- Hospitals: Search by GeographyDr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Search form (state, district, mandal, speciality) and result columns (hospital, state, district, mandal, specialities, address, Mitra contact number) · read on 30-10-2026
- G.O.Ms.No.223, HM&FW (I.1) Dept., 18-12-2023: enhancement of the financial limit of entitlement under the Dr YSR Arogyasri health scheme up to Rs.25.00 lakhs per family per annumHealth, Medical and Family Welfare (I.1) Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Para 1 (income limit Rs.5.0 lakhs, G.O.Rt.No.628 of 15-11-2019), para 2 (3,257 procedures) and para 4 (18-12-2023) · read on 30-10-2026
- Circular No. Dr. NTRVST/P&C/NHA IT Application/2025, 18-06-2025: adapting the NHA IT application in Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva for operations under all the schemesDr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Items 3 and 5 (the MEDCO of a network hospital raises pre-authorisations and claims) (18-06-2025) · read on 30-10-2026
- Circular No. Dr. NTR VST/P&C/6231/2026-2, 06-04-2026: extending cashless treatment to victims of road accidents under AB PM-JAY (PM RAHAT)Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Paragraphs 1, 2 and 6 to 7 (06-04-2026) · read on 30-10-2026
- Ayushman Bharat: Vay Vandana Cards achieves MilestonePress Information Bureau (Research Unit), Government of India, Pages 1, 2 and 5 (₹5 lakh per family; 70 and above, no income limit; page 2 graphic: ₹5 lakh a year for those not covered before, Aadhaar, the choice between AB PM-JAY and another government scheme; 1800110770, 14555) (17-11-2024) · read on 30-10-2026
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare: Initiatives & Achievements-2024Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (Press Information Bureau), AB PM-JAY: 'Ayushman Vay Vandana card' and the 'Ayushman App' (28-12-2024) · read on 30-10-2026
- PM-JAY: Guidelines for BeneficiaryNational Health Authority, Government of India, Whole document (no payment or registration; photo IDs; helpline 14555) · read on 30-10-2026
- Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS): FAQ'sReal Time Governance Society (RTGS), Government of Andhra Pradesh, Who can register a grievance and how; re-opening a grievance; the time limit for redress · read on 30-10-2026
- SGSW Department (Swarna Gramam and Swarna Wardu)District Administration, Alluri Sitharama Raju District, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Introduction; 'Functionaries positioned at Swarna Gramam (Secretariats)' · read on 30-10-2026
- Notification S.O. 1050(E), 4 March 2021: rights of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder, under section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (Gazette of India, Extraordinary), Para (5) and Explanation (1) (04-03-2021) · read on 30-10-2026
- Andhra Pradesh State Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2018, with amendments up to 17-05-2022Consumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh (on the department's website), Clause 2(ff) (rice card); 4(a)(1)-(4) (citizens and residents of the State, eldest woman as head, appeal); 4(c)(1)-(7) (drawing the ration, biometrics, receipt, portability, grievance); 15(c)-(f) (new nuclear family, member addition, Aadhaar numbers); 18 (cancellation, appeal) · read on 30-10-2026