Ayushman Bharat To Cover All Senior Citizens Aged 70 – All You Need To Know

The Union Cabinet has approved a significant expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), extending health insurance coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to providing comprehensive coverage for this age group is now fulfilled.

For families already covered under the scheme, senior members will receive an additional Rs 5 lakh top-up coverage.

Key Details of the Expansion:

• Eligibility: All senior citizens aged 70 and above will now be eligible for Rs 5 lakh annual health coverage. This applies irrespective of their income level or social status.
• Top-up Coverage: Families already enrolled in Ayushman Bharat will get an extra Rs 5 lakh coverage specifically for their senior members.
• Existing Insurance: Senior citizens with private health insurance can utilize this scheme without conflicts. Those enrolled in other public health schemes like CGHS or ECHS must choose between their existing coverage and the new Ayushman Bharat benefits.
• Health Cards: Each eligible senior citizen will receive a new health card for easy access to healthcare services.

Scheme Implementation:

• Coverage: The expanded scheme will now cover an additional 6 crore individuals from 4.5 crore families.
• Costs: The initial cost for this expansion is Rs 3,437 crore, with the Centre covering 60% and state governments covering 40%. In hilly and northeastern states, the Centre will fund 90% of the costs.
• Healthcare Access: The scheme aims to alleviate the financial burden of medical expenses for the elderly, a demographic often facing higher healthcare costs.

How It Works:

1. Annual Coverage: Each senior citizen receives Rs 5 lakh in health coverage annually, shared if multiple seniors are in one family.
2. Public Health Schemes: Seniors enrolled in other public schemes must choose between them and Ayushman Bharat.
3. Funding: Costs are initially borne by the Centre and states, with provisions for scaling up based on demand.

The expansion is designed to address the healthcare needs of senior citizens more effectively, ensuring broader access to essential medical services.

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