Ayushman Bharat Insurance Scheme The Indian government’s flagship health insurance initiative, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), has recently undergone a significant expansion. The scheme, initially launched in 2018 to provide health insurance to low-income families, now extends to cover all senior citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of their financial status. This expansion aims to provide crucial healthcare support to the elderly, who are often most vulnerable to serious health conditions.
In this article, we’ll explore the details of this expansion, its benefits, and how the elderly can access healthcare through the scheme.
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What is Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?
Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest publicly funded health insurance scheme, designed to provide comprehensive health coverage to economically vulnerable families. The program covers 12.34 crore families across India, translating to approximately 55 crore individuals. The scheme offers annual health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family for secondary and tertiary healthcare services, including hospitalizations, surgeries, and treatments for severe illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and more.
Expansion to Cover Senior Citizens Aged 70 and Above
In a recent move, the Indian government extended the Ayushman Bharat scheme to include all senior citizens aged 70 and above. This expansion, approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2024, benefits an additional 6 crore elderly individuals from 4.5 crore families across India. Previously, Ayushman Bharat targeted economically weaker sections, but this new provision applies to all individuals aged 70 and above, regardless of their income.
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Key Features of the Expansion:
Top-up coverage: Senior citizens already covered under the scheme will receive an additional Rs 5 lakh top-up annually, bringing their total coverage up to Rs 10 lakh per year.
Accessibility: Beneficiaries can access healthcare services at empanelled public and private hospitals across India using their Ayushman Bharat card.
Choice for current beneficiaries: Those seniors who are enrolled in other health insurance schemes like the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or Ayushman CAPF can either continue with their current plans or opt for the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
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How Does the Scheme Work for the Elderly?
Ayushman Bharat Insurance Scheme Seniors who are 70 years or older will now be automatically eligible for this expanded coverage under Ayushman Bharat. The scheme is intended to ease the financial burden of healthcare on elderly citizens, many of whom suffer from age-related conditions requiring costly treatments and hospitalizations. Some notable benefits include:
Free Treatment: The elderly will be eligible for free treatment under the scheme at any empanelled hospital without needing to pay out-of-pocket.
Wider Coverage: Senior citizens suffering from age-specific illnesses like dementia, Alzheimer’s, heart failure, and more can seek treatment under this extended coverage. The scheme covers a broad range of treatments, including surgery, cancer care, heart procedures, and more.
Seamless Application: The process of enrolling is straightforward for those already part of eligible families under the AB PM-JAY. New distinct Ayushman cards will be issued to eligible senior citizens, allowing them to access healthcare services across India.
Application Process for the Elderly
Eligible senior citizens can enroll in the scheme through the following steps:
Ayushman Bharat Insurance Scheme Eligibility Check: Families already listed in the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 database will automatically be eligible for coverage. Elderly members from these families will receive the expanded benefits.
New Cards: Senior citizens above 70 years old will be issued new Ayushman cards under this expansion.
Empanelled Hospitals: The elderly can seek treatment from any empanelled public or private hospital under the scheme. The list of empanelled hospitals can be found on the official Ayushman Bharat website or by visiting a local health center.
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Why is This Expansion Important?
This new policy targets a critical demographic: elderly citizens who often face declining health and increasing medical costs. By providing free health insurance, the government is addressing a major concern of healthcare affordability for senior citizens, ensuring that they can access treatments without worrying about financial burdens.
Expected Impact on Healthcare in India
The inclusion of 6 crore senior citizens in the Ayushman Bharat scheme marks a substantial shift in India’s healthcare landscape. The elderly are at a higher risk of chronic illnesses, which require extensive and costly medical care. This initiative aims to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, improve healthcare accessibility for senior citizens, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for India’s aging population.
Conclusion
Ayushman Bharat Insurance Scheme to cover senior citizens aged 70 and above is a groundbreaking step towards providing universal healthcare access in India. With free treatment coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually, this scheme will play a pivotal role in protecting the elderly from the financial burden of healthcare. Senior citizens can now avail themselves of necessary treatments at empanelled hospitals without any cost, ensuring they receive the care they deserve during their golden years.
Still have more questions About Ayushman Bharat Insurance Scheme
Here Are ALL Government Popular Schemes Name
Agriculture Schemes
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
Soil Health Card Scheme
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
Education Schemes
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
Healthcare Scheme
Ayushman Bharat
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
National Health Mission
Housing Schemes
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)………….!
