Cabinet Expands Ayushman Bharat Scheme to Cover All Senior Citizens Aged 70 and Above.
New Delhi:
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a significant expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to include health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of income. This initiative is set to benefit approximately 4.5 crore families, covering six crore senior citizens with a free health insurance cover of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family annually.
Under this new provision, eligible senior citizens will receive a distinct card for accessing AB PM-JAY benefits. Those from families already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover of Rs. 5 lakh per year for their own health needs, separate from the family’s existing cover. Other senior citizens aged 70 and above will be entitled to a Rs. 5 lakh cover per year on a family basis.
Senior citizens who are already part of other public health insurance schemes, such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), can choose to continue with their existing schemes or opt for AB PM-JAY. Additionally, those with private health insurance policies or Employees’ State Insurance schemes are also eligible for AB PM-JAY benefits.
AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, providing a health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. The scheme, which initially covered 10.74 crore families, was expanded to 12 crore families in January 2022 and now includes 37 lakh ASHAs/AWWs/AWHs and their families.
This recent expansion, announced by Prime Minister Modi in April 2024, underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare coverage for the elderly, further extending the benefits of AB PM-JAY across the country.
