New Delhi: In a landmark decision, the Government of India has announced that every individual aged 70 and above will now be covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), marking a major step forward in expanding healthcare access for senior citizens. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved this extension, providing health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family annually, benefiting approximately 4.5 crore families and six crore senior citizens.
The Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is globally recognized as the largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, aimed at ensuring secondary and tertiary hospitalization for the vulnerable sections of society. With this expansion, senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their socio-economic status, are eligible for the scheme.
New Health Cards for Senior Citizens
A unique feature of this initiative is the issuance of distinct health cards for all eligible senior citizens under AB PM-JAY. These new cards will provide exclusive access to healthcare benefits under the scheme, ensuring comprehensive healthcare services to the elderly.
For senior citizens already enrolled in AB PM-JAY, an additional top-up cover of ₹5 lakh per year will be available. This top-up ensures that those aged 70 and above will not have to share their health coverage with younger family members, allowing them access to a higher level of care if needed.
Flexibility with Existing Health Schemes
The government has also clarified that senior citizens currently benefiting from other public health insurance schemes, such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), and Ayushman Bharat Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) schemes, can either continue with their existing coverage or opt to avail benefits under the AB PM-JAY.
Additionally, senior citizens holding private health insurance policies or those covered under the Employees' State Insurance Scheme (ESI) will also be eligible to receive benefits under the expanded AB PM-JAY coverage.
Expanding Health Coverage for India’s Population
The AB PM-JAY, launched with the mission to provide healthcare access to India’s economically vulnerable sections, offers health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year. Initially covering 10.74 crore families—representing the bottom 40% of India's population—the scheme has now expanded its reach due to the country's growing population. As of January 2022, the coverage base was extended to 12 crore families, addressing India’s 11.7% decadal population growth.
To date, the scheme has facilitated over 7.37 crore hospital admissions, with 49% of the beneficiaries being women. The total benefits provided under the scheme exceed ₹1 lakh crore, reflecting the government's commitment to delivering free healthcare to those in need.
Focus on Healthcare for Senior Citizens
The decision to extend AB PM-JAY coverage to those aged 70 and above follows Prime Minister Modi’s announcement in April this year. By incorporating all citizens in this age group, the government aims to protect senior citizens, who are often the most vulnerable to health-related challenges, from the financial burden of medical expenses.
This extension complements previous expansions, such as the inclusion of 37 lakh Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs), along with their families, under the scheme.
A Milestone in Public Healthcare
The expansion of the AB PM-JAY to senior citizens aged 70 and above signifies a new milestone in India's public healthcare system. With this move, the government has further strengthened its commitment to ensuring that healthcare remains accessible, affordable, and inclusive for all, particularly the elderly population.
The AB PM-JAY continues to evolve, providing a safety net to millions of citizens and reinforcing the government's dedication to "Health for All."