Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched a health coverage initiative on October 29 under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to extend health benefits to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income.
Earlier this month, the Union Cabinet approved this plan, which is expected to benefit around 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 and older across India, covering approximately 4.5 crore families.
PMJAY Ayushman Bharat Yojana: PM launches health coverage plan for senior citizens Image: Screengrab/YT/NHA
Under AB PM-JAY, all senior citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of their socioeconomic background, will be eligible for these health benefits. Eligible seniors are being issued a special, distinct card to access AB PM-JAY services.
Eligibility for coverage under the AB PM-JAY program
Senior citizens aged 70 years and above, from families already covered under AB PM-JAY, will receive an additional top-up of up to Rs 5 lakh per year exclusively for themselves, without needing to share this coverage with family members under 70 years of age.
Other senior citizens aged 70 years and above will be eligible for coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per year on a family basis. Those already benefiting from 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), may either continue with their current scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY.
Senior citizens enrolled in ESI will qualify for benefits under AB PMJAY
It has been confirmed that senior citizens aged 70 and above, who are covered by private health insurance or the Employees' State Insurance scheme, will be eligible for benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance initiative, offering health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalizations. This scheme supports 55 crore individuals across 12.34 crore families, covering all eligible family members regardless of age.
To date, the scheme has funded 7.37 crore hospital admissions, with women beneficiaries making up 49% of these cases. The total public benefit under the scheme has exceeded Rs 1 lakh crore.
What documents are needed to enroll in the AB PMJAY Senior Citizen Scheme?
The only document required for enrollment in the AB PM-JAY Senior Citizen Scheme is Aadhaar.
The AB PM-JAY scheme has continually expanded its beneficiary base. Initially, it covered 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families, representing the lowest 40% of India’s population. In January 2022, in response to India's decadal population growth of 11.7% since 2011, the Government of India revised this beneficiary base from 10.74 crore to 12 crore families.
Further expansion of the scheme included free healthcare benefits for 37 lakh ASHAs, AWWs, and AWHs and their families across the country. Continuing this mission, AB PM-JAY will now provide free healthcare coverage of Rs 5 lakh to all citizens aged 70 years and above nationwide.
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