In a move aimed at expanding healthcare access, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This groundbreaking initiative will provide free health insurance to approximately 6 crore senior citizens, offering them a cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year, irrespective of their income.
The new scheme will issue distinct health cards to eligible senior citizens, allowing them to access secondary and tertiary care services across the country. Senior citizens already covered under the existing AB PM-JAY scheme will receive an additional top-up of ₹5 lakh per year, ensuring they have exclusive coverage separate from their family members below the age of 70. Those enrolled in other public schemes like the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) will have the option to choose between their existing scheme or AB PM-JAY.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, covering 55 crore individuals across 12.34 crore families. The scheme has already facilitated over 7.37 crore hospital admissions, benefiting the public by more than ₹1 lakh crore. The latest extension to senior citizens was first announced by Prime Minister Modi in April 2024.
This approval marks another milestone in the government’s mission to ensure universal health coverage and is expected to provide critical healthcare access to millions of elderly citizens across India.
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