Part 20: Master FAQ, Helplines & Document Checklist

This is your cheat sheet. Save it to your phone.

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📋 Universal Document Checklist

Always carry these when visiting any government hospital:

1. Aadhaar Card (Original + Photocopy)
2. Ayushman Bharat Card (Golden Card) — if you have one
3. State Health Insurance Card (BSKY / CMCHIS / Chiranjeevi / Swasthya Sathi)
4. Ration Card (NFSA/SFSS) — for scheme eligibility
5. Previous Medical Records — old prescriptions, test reports, discharge summaries
6. Income Certificate / BPL Card — for financial assistance at tertiary hospitals
7. Passport-size Photos (2 copies)
8. Bank Passbook — for JSY/PMMVY cash incentives

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I go to any government hospital in any state?

Yes, for central government hospitals (AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER). For state hospitals, you can generally access OPD, but free medicine/diagnostic schemes may be restricted to state residents.

Q2: How do I find the nearest government hospital?

Google Maps → Search “government hospital near me.” Or call 104 (National Health Helpline).

Q3: Do I need to pay anything at a government hospital?

• OPD: Free or ₹2-10.
• Emergency: Always free (by law).
• Medicines: Free in states with drug schemes (Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Delhi).
• Tests: Free in states with diagnostic schemes.
• Surgery: Free at most government medical colleges.

Q4: I have depression. Where do I go?

1. Call 14416 (Tele-MANAS) — 24/7, free, immediate counseling.
2. Visit your nearest DMHP clinic at the District Hospital — free psychiatrist + medicines.
3. For severe cases: NIMHANS Bengaluru or CIP Ranchi.

Q5: I have epilepsy. Where do I go?

1. Visit the Neurology OPD at your nearest government medical college.
2. Anti-epileptic drugs are available free at government hospital pharmacies.
3. For drug-resistant epilepsy: NIMHANS or AIIMS for advanced evaluation.

Q6: I have bipolar disorder. What medicines can I get free?

• Lithium, Valproate, Carbamazepine, Olanzapine, Risperidone — available at DMHP clinics and government hospital pharmacies.
• Monitoring (Lithium levels, thyroid, kidney function) — free under NIDAN (Odisha) or at government hospital labs.

Q7: Can a private company employee use PM-JAY?

Only if your family is in the SECC 2011 database or you are 70+ years old. Income tax payers are generally NOT eligible. Use your employer’s group health insurance instead.

Q8: How do I complain if a government hospital refuses treatment?

• Central hospitals: Call the hospital’s grievance cell or AIIMS helpline.
• State hospitals: Call 104 or the state health department helpline.
• PM-JAY complaints: Call 14555.

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📞 Master Helpline Directory — All India

Service	Number	Hours
Emergency Ambulance	108	24/7
Maternal Ambulance	102	24/7
Unified Emergency	112	24/7
National Health Helpline	104	24/7
Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY)	14555	24/7
Toll-Free PM-JAY	1800-111-565	24/7
Tele-MANAS (Mental Health)	14416	24/7
Poison Information	1800-11-6117	24/7
iCall (TISS Counseling)	9152987821	Mon-Sat 8AM-10PM
Vandrevala Foundation	1860-2662-345	24/7
NIMHANS	080-46110007	24/7

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🌐 Important Websites

Resource	URL
PM-JAY Portal	pmjay.gov.in
Check PM-JAY Eligibility	beneficiary.nha.gov.in
Find Empanelled Hospitals	hospitals.pmjay.gov.in
Jan Aushadhi	janaushadhi.gov.in
AIIMS New Delhi	aiims.edu
NIMHANS	nimhans.ac.in
Tele-MANAS	telemanas.mohfw.gov.in
National Health Portal	nhp.gov.in

📱 Apps to Download

1. Ayushman Bharat App — Check eligibility, find hospitals.
2. Jan Aushadhi Sugam — Find cheap generic medicine stores.
3. AIIMS Bhubaneswar Swasthya — Book AIIMS OPD.
4. Aarogya Setu — Health ID and records.
5. mSeva / DigiLocker — Store health documents digitally.

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Closing Note

India’s public healthcare system is vast, complex, and often confusing — but it works. If you know where to go and which scheme to use, you can get world-class treatment for ₹0.

Remember these three rules:

1. Start at a government hospital — OPD is free/₹10. Medicines are free. Tests are free.
2. Use your Ayushman card — If eligible, cashless at 30,000+ hospitals.
3. Jan Aushadhi — If the government pharmacy doesn’t have your medicine, buy the generic at 90% off.

Stay healthy, stay informed.

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