Burns Treatment and Plastic Surgery Under PMJAY
The Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme covers a comprehensive range of burns procedures, giving eligible patients access to life-saving and quality-of-life-improving treatments completely free of cost. This guide explains what specific procedures are covered, how to find the right hospital, and what to expect during treatment.
Procedures Covered Under PM-JAY
The PM-JAY scheme covers the following burns procedures: acute burn wound management, skin grafting (split-thickness, full-thickness), post-burn contracture release, cleft lip and palate repair, hand surgery, flap surgery for reconstruction, and post-trauma facial reconstruction. Each procedure is covered as a defined package with a fixed rate — the hospital cannot charge you anything beyond the package.
Detailed Coverage
Acute Burns Management: Emergency treatment of burn injuries including wound debridement, dressing, infection prevention, fluid resuscitation, and pain management. PM-JAY covers ICU care for severe burns, which often require prolonged hospitalisation of 2-6 weeks depending on the burn area and depth.
Skin Grafting: Surgical transplantation of skin to cover burn wounds and promote healing. Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) and full-thickness skin grafting are both covered. Multiple grafting sessions may be needed for extensive burns — each is covered as a separate PM-JAY claim.
Post-Burn Contracture Release: Reconstructive surgery to release skin contractures caused by burn scarring. These contractures restrict movement of limbs, neck, and face. Surgery involves releasing the tight scar tissue and covering the area with skin grafts or flaps.
Cleft Lip and Palate Repair: Surgical correction of congenital cleft lip and cleft palate deformities in children. Cleft lip repair is typically done at 3-6 months of age, and palate repair at 9-12 months. Both are fully covered under PM-JAY.
Hand Surgery and Reconstruction: Surgical treatment of hand injuries, tendon repairs, nerve repairs, and reconstructive procedures for hand deformities. Includes replantation surgery for traumatic amputations where feasible.
Post-Trauma Facial Reconstruction: Reconstructive surgery for facial injuries from accidents — jaw fractures, cheekbone fractures, orbital fractures, and soft tissue injuries. Covered under the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery or Plastic Surgery specialties.
How to Find a Hospital for Burns Treatment and Plastic Surgery
Not every PMJAY empanelled hospital offers burns services. You need to find a hospital specifically empanelled for this specialty in your district.
Step 1: Visit PMJAYHospitals.com — Burns
Step 2: Select your state and district to see all hospitals offering this specialty near you.
Step 3: Call the hospital to confirm they are currently performing the specific procedure you need under PM-JAY.
Step 4: Visit the hospital with your Ayushman Bharat card, Aadhaar card, and any existing medical reports.
Important Warning
For burn injuries — immediately cool the burn under running water for at least 20 minutes. Do not apply ice, toothpaste, or home remedies. Cover with a clean cloth and get to the hospital. Severe burns (more than 20% body area, face/hand/genital burns, chemical or electrical burns) require immediate emergency hospital care.
Recovery and Post-Treatment Care
Burns recovery is one of the longest under PM-JAY — severe burns may require weeks to months of hospitalisation. Multiple surgeries (debridement, grafting, contracture release) may be needed over several months. PM-JAY covers each hospitalisation as a separate claim. Post-discharge physiotherapy is crucial to prevent contractures.
What You Need to Carry
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY card (physical or digital via ABHA app)
- Aadhaar card (original, for biometric verification)
- All existing medical reports, X-rays, scans, and prescriptions
- Referral letter from your doctor (if available)
- Previous discharge summary (if this is a follow-up treatment)
Cost to the Patient
The treatment is completely cashless under PM-JAY. You pay nothing — not for the surgery, not for medicines, not for implants or devices, not for ICU charges, and not for diagnostic tests during hospitalisation. The hospital settles the bill directly with the insurance company or state health agency. If any hospital asks you to pay, call the PMJAY helpline at 14555 immediately.
Find hospitals for this treatment: PMJAY Burns Hospitals
Disclaimer: PMJAYHospitals.com is an independent directory and is not affiliated with the National Health Authority or any government body. Treatment information is for general guidance only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified doctor for treatment decisions. For official PM-JAY information, visit pmjay.gov.in or call 14555.