NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday approved health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income under the flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), regardless of their socio-economic status.
Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw while announcing the Cabinet’s decision while addressing the media said that this will benefit approximately 4.5 Crore families with six (6) crore senior citizens with 5 Lakh rupees free health insurance cover on a family basis.
The eligible senior citizens, under this initiative, will receive a new distinct card that entitles them to the benefits of the scheme.
Additionally, for those who are already covered under AB PM-JAY, an additional top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year will be provided exclusively for the senior citizen, without the need to share it with other family members below the age of 70.
Meanwhile, senior citizens aged 70 and above who are already benefiting from other public health insurance schemes, such as CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF, have the option to either continue with their existing scheme or switch to AB PM-JAY.
Senior citizens in this age group who are covered under private health insurance policies or the Employees’ State Insurance scheme are still eligible for benefits under AB PM-JAY.
The expansion of coverage to senior citizens aged 70 and above was initially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2024.
AB PM-JAY, the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, provides a health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 55 crore individuals, corresponding to 12.34 crore families. The scheme covers all family members, irrespective of age, and has already covered 7.37 crore hospital admissions, with 49 percent of the beneficiaries being women. The public has benefited to the extent of over Rs. 1 Lakh crore under the scheme.
Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw while announcing the Cabinet’s decision while addressing the media said that this will benefit approximately 4.5 Crore families with six (6) crore senior citizens with 5 Lakh rupees free health insurance cover on a family basis.
The eligible senior citizens, under this initiative, will receive a new distinct card that entitles them to the benefits of the scheme.
Additionally, for those who are already covered under AB PM-JAY, an additional top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year will be provided exclusively for the senior citizen, without the need to share it with other family members below the age of 70.
Meanwhile, senior citizens aged 70 and above who are already benefiting from other public health insurance schemes, such as CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF, have the option to either continue with their existing scheme or switch to AB PM-JAY.
Senior citizens in this age group who are covered under private health insurance policies or the Employees’ State Insurance scheme are still eligible for benefits under AB PM-JAY.
The expansion of coverage to senior citizens aged 70 and above was initially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2024.
AB PM-JAY, the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, provides a health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 55 crore individuals, corresponding to 12.34 crore families. The scheme covers all family members, irrespective of age, and has already covered 7.37 crore hospital admissions, with 49 percent of the beneficiaries being women. The public has benefited to the extent of over Rs. 1 Lakh crore under the scheme.