If you have an Ayushman Card and face a problem at a hospital, you do not necessarily have to accept the problem and walk away.

For example:

The hospital refuses eligible PM-JAY treatment
Your beneficiary record cannot be verified
You believe you were incorrectly charged
A hospital does not provide an applicable covered service
You face problems with your Ayushman Card
You experience an issue while using PM-JAY benefits

You can raise an Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY grievance through the official grievance mechanism.

The government has a three-tier grievance redressal structure at the district, state and national levels. Press Information Bureau

What Is an Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Grievance?

When to file an Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY grievance for refused treatment, card errors or billing issues

A grievance is a complaint or problem related to the use or delivery of PM-JAY benefits.

Examples include:

Hospital-related complaints

Eligible treatment refused
Problems during admission
Cashless treatment issue
Incorrect handling of beneficiary services

Beneficiary-related problems

Card not working
Beneficiary verification problem
e-KYC issue
Incorrect beneficiary information

Financial issues

You believe you were wrongly asked to pay for a covered service
You have concerns about charges related to a PM-JAY package

Service-related issues

Difficulty accessing the benefit
Problems with hospital assistance
Other scheme-related service issues

Can an Empanelled Hospital Refuse PM-JAY Treatment?

Ways to submit an Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY grievance through the helpline, online portal and relevant authorities

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, hospitals empanelled under AB-PMJAY cannot deny treatment to eligible beneficiaries for covered services for which they are empanelled. Press Information Bureau

However, this does not mean that every treatment in every empanelled hospital must be covered.

For example, a hospital may not be empanelled for a particular specialty or procedure.

Therefore, first establish what the problem actually is.

PM-JAY Grievance Helpline Number

14555

The PM-JAY 14555 helpline is available for beneficiary assistance and grievance-related support. Tech Support

When you call, keep your details ready.

You may need:

Name
Mobile number
Ayushman Card/beneficiary details
Hospital name
Hospital location
Treatment details
Date of incident
Description of the problem

How to File an Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Grievance

Steps to submit an Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY complaint online and keep the grievance reference number

Step 1: Try to resolve the issue at the hospital

Before filing a formal complaint, if the situation permits, speak with the hospital’s:

Ayushman Mitra / PM-JAY help desk

Explain the problem clearly.

For example:

“I am an eligible PM-JAY beneficiary. Please check my beneficiary record and tell me why this treatment is not being processed.”

This can sometimes resolve a technical or verification problem immediately.

Step 2: Record the important details

If the issue continues, write down:

Hospital:
Name and location

Date:
When the problem occurred

Treatment:
What treatment/procedure you needed

Problem:
Exactly what happened

Response:
What hospital staff told you

Documents:
Any relevant card, prescription, admission papers or bills

This information can make your complaint much stronger.

Step 3: Call 14555

Call:

14555 – PM-JAY Helpline

Explain the situation.

Be specific.

Instead of saying:

“The hospital is troubling me.”

Say:

“I am an eligible PM-JAY beneficiary. I visited XYZ Hospital on [date] for [procedure]. The hospital’s PM-JAY desk told me [reason]. I want clarification and assistance.”

Clear information makes it easier to understand your complaint.

Step 4: Use the PM-JAY Grievance System

PM-JAY has a Centralized Grievance Redressal Management System (CGRMS) for complaints.

The government has stated that grievances received through the national call centre, grievance portal or other permitted channels can be assigned to the relevant State Health Agency for action through the established process. Press Information Bureau

Official PM-JAY grievance system:
PM-JAY Centralized Grievance Redressal Management System

What Happens After You File a Complaint?

PM-JAY uses a three-level grievance mechanism:

Level 1 — District

The complaint can be examined through the district-level grievance mechanism.

Level 2 — State

If required, the matter can move to the State Health Agency and designated state-level officials.

Level 3 — National

Issues can also be escalated through the national-level mechanism.

The purpose is to provide a structured route for complaints rather than leaving the beneficiary to deal with the hospital alone. Press Information Bureau

What Evidence Should You Keep?

Documents and details to prepare before filing a PM-JAY grievance, including card details, hospital name and treatment records

If possible, keep copies or photographs of:

Ayushman Card
Aadhaar/identity document used for verification
Hospital registration slip
Doctor’s prescription
Investigation reports
Admission documents
Bills/receipts
Discharge documents
Written communication
SMS messages
Screenshots
Complaint reference number

Never send unnecessary personal information to unofficial websites or unknown individuals.

What If the Hospital Demands Money?

Don’t immediately assume that every payment request is illegal.

First ask:

“What exactly is this amount for?”

Then ask:

“Is this expense included in the applicable PM-JAY package?”

If you believe you are being incorrectly charged for a covered service, document the details and seek clarification from the hospital’s PM-JAY desk or 14555.

What If My Ayushman Card Is Not Working?

This is one of the most common practical problems.

First check:

Is your beneficiary record available?
Is your identity verified?
Is e-KYC complete where required?
Is your card active/available?
Is the hospital empanelled?
Is the required treatment covered?
Is the hospital’s PM-JAY system facing a technical issue?

If the problem remains unresolved, contact 14555.

Related article:
👉 Ayushman Card Not Working or Hospital Refusing Treatment? What to Do

What If My Complaint Is About a Hospital Outside My State?

PM-JAY has nationwide portability.

Eligible beneficiaries can use covered services at empanelled hospitals outside their home state, subject to applicable PM-JAY rules. Press Information Bureau

Therefore, a beneficiary receiving treatment outside the home state can still seek help if a PM-JAY-related problem occurs.

Special Helpline for Ayushman Vay Vandana Beneficiaries

For eligible senior citizens aged 70 and above under Ayushman Vay Vandana, government information has also listed:

1800-110-770

for assistance/questions, alongside the 24×7 PM-JAY helpline 14555. Press Information Bureau

Don’t Use Unofficial “Ayushman Agents”

Be cautious if someone says:

“Give me your Aadhaar and OTP. I will solve your Ayushman Card problem.”

Do not share your OTP casually.

Use:

Official PM-JAY channels
Empanelled hospital help desk
Official beneficiary services
14555
Official grievance mechanism

The safest approach is to deal directly with authorised channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the Ayushman Bharat complaint number?

The PM-JAY helpline number is 14555. Tech Support

Q2. How can I complain against an Ayushman hospital?

You can seek help through the hospital’s PM-JAY/Ayushman Mitra desk, call 14555, or use the PM-JAY grievance redressal system. Press Information Bureau

Q3. Can I complain if an empanelled hospital refuses treatment?

Yes. Eligible beneficiaries can raise a grievance if they believe an empanelled hospital has wrongly denied covered PM-JAY treatment. Press Information Bureau

Q4. Is there a grievance system for PM-JAY?

Yes. PM-JAY has a Centralized Grievance Redressal Management System and a three-tier grievance mechanism.

Q5. Can I complain about incorrect charges?

If you believe you were incorrectly charged for a covered PM-JAY service, document the details and raise the issue through the appropriate PM-JAY grievance channel.

Q6. What should I do before filing a complaint?

First confirm whether the hospital is empanelled for the relevant treatment and ask the Ayushman Mitra why the service was denied or why a payment was requested.

Final Takeaway

An Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY grievance is not simply about complaining about a hospital.

The most effective approach is to first understand the problem, document what happened, ask the hospital’s PM-JAY desk for clarification and then escalate through 14555 or the official grievance system if necessary.

The system provides grievance handling at district, state and national levels. Press Information Bureau

Related Benefitomics guides:

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Grievance 2026: How to File a Complaint