**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to a parliamentary question regarding beneficiaries registered under the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana (AVVY) in Khargone and Barwani districts. The reply provides data on the number of Ayushman Vay Vandana cards created as of January 31, 2026. It also clarifies authentication procedures and pre-authorization timelines under the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Beneficiary Data:**
* Constituency-wise data under AB-PMJAY is not captured.
* Ayushman Vay Vandana cards created as of 31.01.2026:
* Khargone (West Nimar): 35,293
* Barwani: 24,694
* **Bio-authentication:**
* Beneficiaries are verified through Aadhaar-based bio-authentication.
* Available modes: fingerprint, iris scan, and face authentication.
* Hospitals must have biometric devices.
* In emergencies, registration can occur through Medical Superintendent (MS) login without authentication.
* **Pre-authorization:**
* Hospitals can request pre-authorization up to 3 days post-admission for private hospitals and 5 days for public hospitals.
* **Helpline:**
* A 24*7 toll-free helpline is available for scheme-related assistance: 14555.
**Impact Analysis**
**Hospitals**
* **Impact:** Must ensure availability of biometric authentication devices and adhere to pre-authorization timelines.
* **Action Required:** Equip facilities with required biometric devices and train staff on AB-PMJAY pre-authorization guidelines.
**Beneficiaries**
* **Impact:** Enhanced access to healthcare services through multiple bio-authentication methods and streamlined pre-authorization processes.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of available bio-authentication options and the 14555 helpline for assistance.
Key Entities Referenced
Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): A health insurance scheme, this is the program under which the question about beneficiaries is posed.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The ministry responsible for the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana (AVVY): A pension scheme for senior citizens about which information is requested.
Khargone: A district in Madhya Pradesh where information regarding AVVY beneficiaries is requested.
Barwani: A district in Madhya Pradesh where information regarding AVVY beneficiaries is requested.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 2348
TOBE ANSWERED ON 13TH FEBRUARY,2026
BENEFICIARIES REGISTERED UNDERAVVY
†2348.SHRIGAJENDRASINGH PATEL:
Will the Minister of HEALTHAND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleased tostate:
(a)the numberof beneficiariesregistered underthe AyushmanVaya VandanaYojana(AVVY)
in Khargone Lok Sabha Parliamentary Constituency, specifically in Khargone and Barwani
districts, block-wise;
(b) whether the beneficiaries are facing difficulties in receiving benefits under the said
scheme due tomismatches infingerprint verification,if so, the detailsthereof; and
(c) whether the Government is considering the use of alternative methods besides fingerprint
matchingfor beneficiaries toreceivebenefitsunderthe said scheme,if so, the detailsthereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATEIN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTHAND
FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAOJADHAV)
(a) to (c): The constituency-wise data is not captured under Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan
Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), however, the details of Ayushman Vay Vandana
cardscreatedinKhargone andBarwani districts ason31.01.2026are asunder:
District Number of Ayushman VayVandanacardscreated
Khargone(West Nimar) 35,293
Barwani 24,694
Under AB-PMJAY, beneficiariesare verifiedthrough Aadhaar based bio-authentication at the
time of availing services. Three modes of bio-authentication are available i.e. fingerprint, iris
scan andface authentication,andbeneficiariescanbe authenticatedusing anyof these modes.
As per National Health Authority’s hospital empanelment guidelines, hospitals are required
to have biometric devices for such authentication. In emergency cases where patient’s
biometric authentication cannot be captured, registration can be done through the Medical
Superintendent(MS)login without authentication.
As per the guidelines of AB-PMJAY, hospitals are allowed to initiate request for pre-
authorization upto 3 days post the date of admission in case of private hospitals and 5 days
post the date of admission in case of public hospitals. This feature enables timely access to
healthcare services during emergencies. Further, beneficiaries can call the 24*7 toll-free
helpline number14555for anyscheme relatedassistance.
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