In a significant move towards bolstering healthcare for senior citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch an extension of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) on Tuesday, October 29th, coinciding with Ayurveda Day. This initiative will provide free health coverage up to ₹5 lakh for all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income status.
This expansion of the AB-PMJAY scheme aims to offer an additional layer of healthcare security for senior citizens, ensuring they have access to essential medical care without financial burden. Individuals already enrolled in the AB-PMJAY will receive a new e-KYC card granting them this expanded coverage. They can then avail treatment at any hospital registered under the scheme, with the benefit exclusive to them and not shared with other family members.
To access the extended coverage, individuals must register on the PMJAY portal or the Ayushman app. Those with an existing Ayushman card will need to reapply on the portal or app and complete their eKYC for a new card.
The AB-PMJAY scheme, currently implemented across 33 States and Union Territories (excluding Delhi, Odisha, and West Bengal), has already facilitated over 7.37 crore hospital admissions, with women accounting for 49 per cent of beneficiaries. The scheme has provided over Rs1 lakh crore in benefits to the public, according to the health ministry.
Importantly, this expanded coverage for senior citizens is not limited to those without private health insurance. Even individuals with private health insurance or enrolled in the Employees’ State Insurance scheme are eligible for the benefits under this scheme. However, senior citizens who are already utilizing other public health insurance schemes, such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), and Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), will need to choose between their current scheme and the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
The AB-PMJAY scheme, as per the health ministry, covers 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families, representing the bottom 40 per cent of India’s population. As of September 1, 2024, 29,648 hospitals, including 12,696 private facilities, are empanelled to provide treatment under the scheme.
In addition to launching the extended Ayushman Bharat scheme, Prime Minister Modi will also unveil several other health initiatives on Tuesday. These include the U-WIN portal, a system akin to India’s COVID-19 vaccine management system, and the inauguration of critical care facilities in AIIMS Bhubaneshwar and Kalyani, along with super speciality facilities in Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
