On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to offer health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income. This move ensures that elderly individuals across the country can access affordable and comprehensive healthcare, without financial barriers, as part of the government’s commitment to expanding healthcare access under the Ayushman Bharat initiative.
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is one of the largest government-sponsored health insurance schemes in the world. Launched in September 2018 by the Government of India, the scheme aims to provide financial protection for healthcare costs to millions of vulnerable families. Originally designed to benefit Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, the scheme has since expanded its coverage to offer broader healthcare support, including significant benefits for senior citizens.
Key Highlights of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana:
- Target Beneficiaries: The scheme initially focused on economically weaker sections of society, specifically targeting families that hold BPL cards. It offers health coverage for secondary and tertiary healthcare to the economically disadvantaged, ensuring access to quality medical care.
- Health Coverage of ₹5 Lakh: Beneficiaries under the scheme receive up to ₹5 lakh per family per year to cover medical expenses, including hospitalizations, surgeries, treatments, and other essential healthcare services. This coverage extends to a wide range of medical conditions, making healthcare more accessible and affordable for those who need it the most.
- Cashless and Paperless Treatment: One of the key benefits of Ayushman Bharat is the provision of cashless and paperless treatment at empaneled public and private hospitals across India. The scheme aims to minimize the financial burden on families during health emergencies by ensuring they don’t have to pay upfront for hospital treatments.
Expansion to Senior Citizens:
In a significant expansion, the government has now included all senior citizens aged 70 and above under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, regardless of whether they hold a BPL card. This is a major milestone, ensuring that all senior citizens, irrespective of their financial background, can access healthcare coverage. The new inclusion offers:
- Health Coverage for All Senior Citizens: Every senior citizen above the age of 70 is eligible for ₹5 lakh in health insurance coverage on a family floater basis. This ensures that elderly individuals have adequate financial protection for their healthcare needs.
- Additional Top-Up for Existing Ayushman Bharat Beneficiaries: Senior citizens already enrolled under the existing Ayushman Bharat scheme are provided with an extra ₹5 lakh in coverage dedicated solely to their healthcare needs. This top-up ensures that senior citizens have an additional safety net, without the need to share the insurance benefits with other family members.
Impact of the Scheme:
Ayushman Bharat is expected to benefit around 10 crore economically vulnerable families, providing coverage to nearly 50 crore individuals. With the inclusion of senior citizens, the scheme aims to provide dignity and comprehensive healthcare support to India’s elderly population.
This scheme represents the government’s commitment to ensuring affordable, accessible, and top-quality healthcare for the entire nation, particularly the elderly and the underprivileged. By including senior citizens in its coverage, Ayushman Bharat has taken a step toward universal healthcare, ensuring that India’s older population has the support and security they need to access life-saving medical care.