Recently, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a new initiative to provide health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), regardless of their income.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision, highlighting its significance:
“We have decided to extend universal health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana to senior citizens aged 70 and above. This monumental decision reflects our humanitarian values. They will receive free treatment coverage up to Rs 5 lakh, benefiting approximately 4.5 crore families and around 6 crore senior citizens.”
This expansion, initially revealed by PM Modi during the BJP manifesto launch for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, aims to include all senior citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status. A new distinct card will be issued to these eligible individuals.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said this is a significant decision. He said the senior citizens will get the facility of free treatment up to 5 lakh rupees. He highlighted that this will cover about 4.5 crore families in the country, and include about 6 crore senior citizens.
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The eligible senior citizens would be issued a new distinct card under AB PM-JAY. The senior citizens of the 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover upto 5 lakh rupees per year for themselves. All other senior citizens of 70 years and above will get a cover upto 5 lakh rupees per year on a family basis. Senior citizens of the age 70 years and above who are already availing benefits of other public health insurance schemes such as Central Government Health Scheme, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, Ayushman Central Armed Police Force may either choose their existing scheme or opt for AB PMJAY. Senior citizens of 70 years and above who are under private health insurance policies or Employees’ State Insurance scheme will be eligible to avail benefits under AB PM-JAY.
Seniors already covered under the scheme who are 70 or older will receive an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year exclusively for themselves, separate from the coverage for other family members under 70. Those not previously covered by the scheme will also receive up to Rs 5 lakh per year on a family basis.
Senior citizens who are currently beneficiaries of other public health insurance schemes, such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or the Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), may choose to continue their current schemes or switch to AB PM-JAY. Private health insurance holders and those covered under the Employees’ State Insurance scheme are also eligible for AB PM-JAY benefits.
AB PM-JAY, the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, provides Rs 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalizations to 55 crore individuals, covering 12.34 crore families. The scheme has facilitated over 7.37 crore hospital admissions, with 49% being women beneficiaries, and has provided benefits exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore.
Initially, AB PM-JAY covered 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families, but this number was later increased to 12 crore to reflect India’s population growth. The scheme was also expanded to include 37 lakh ASHAs/AWWs/AWHs and their families for free healthcare benefits.
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