In a significant move, the Union Cabinet approved a major expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) on September 11, 2024. Under this decision, all senior citizens aged 70 and above will receive health coverage, regardless of their income.
This expansion is set to benefit around 4.5 crore families, including 6 crore senior citizens, by providing them with free health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family. With this approval, every senior citizen in this age group will have access to the scheme’s benefits, regardless of their socio-economic status.
Key New Developments
- New Distinct Card: Eligible senior citizens aged 70 and above will receive a new, distinct card under the AB PM-JAY scheme
- Top-Up Coverage: Senior citizens within families already covered by AB PM-JAY will receive an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year. This top-up will be for them, and they will not have to share it with other family members under the age of 70.
- Family Coverage: Senior citizens who are not part of an existing AB PM-JAY family coverage will be provided with a cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year on a family basis
- Choice of Schemes: Senior citizens who are already benefiting from other public health insurance schemes like the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have the option to either continue with their current scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY
- Eligibility with Private Insurance: Senior citizens who are covered by private health insurance policies or the Employees’ State Insurance scheme are also eligible to benefit from AB PM-JAY
Ayushman Bharat
Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat is a landmark health initiative designed to provide universal health coverage, particularly for rural and vulnerable populations. The mission aims to implement transformative interventions that address health needs comprehensively across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
Ayushman Bharat is designed to implement transformative interventions that address the entire spectrum of healthcare across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. It follows a continuum-of-care approach and consists of two interrelated components:
- Ayushman Arogya Mandir
The first component of Ayushman Bharat involves establishing Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM), previously known as Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs). These Ayushman Arogya Mandirs offer a broad spectrum of healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, rehabilitative, and curative care.
