Ayushman Bharat is one of the most ambitious social welfare schemes India has ever launched — and for eligible families, it is an absolute must-use. But it was designed as a safety net for the most vulnerable, not as a comprehensive health solution for all Indians. If you are in the middle-income bracket, private health insurance is non-negotiable. Medical inflation in India runs at 14–18% per year, and a single major illness can wipe out years of savings without adequate cover. The best approach: know your eligibility, understand your coverage gaps, and build a health insurance strategy that leaves no family member unprotected.