PM-JAY Ayushman Bharat Yojana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 29 formally launched health coverage plan for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income under the flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
The Union Cabinet earlier this month approved the health coverage plan, which will additionally benefit approximately 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 or above in India. These senior citizens belong to around 4.5 crore families.
All senior citizens of the age 70 years and above irrespective of their socioeconomic status would be eligible to avail the benefits of AB PM-JAY. The eligible senior citizens are being issued a new distinct card under AB PM-JAY.
Eligibility to get covered under the AB PM-JAY
The senior citizens of the age 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover up to Rs 5 lakh per year for themselves. These senior citizens will not have to share the coverage with the other members of the family who are below the age of 70 years.
All other senior citizens of the age 70 years and above will get a cover up to Rs 5 lakh per year on a family basis. Senior citizens of the age 70 years and above who are already availing benefits of other public health insurance schemes such as Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) may either choose their existing scheme or opt for AB PMJAY.
Senior citizens covered under ESI to be eligible under AB PMJAY
It has been clarified that senior citizens of 70 years and above who are under private health insurance policies or Employees’ State Insurance scheme will be eligible to avail benefits under AB PM-JAY.
AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme which provides health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 55 crore individuals corresponding to 12.34 crore families. All members of the eligible families irrespective of age are covered under the scheme.
The scheme has covered 7.37 crore hospital admissions including 49% women beneficiaries. The public has benefited to the extent of over Rs 1 lakh crore under the scheme.
Also read: PM Modi may launch health coverage for senior citizens under Ayushman Bharat next week
What documents are required to enrol in the AB PMJAY Senior Citizen Scheme?
Aadhaar is the only document needed for enrolment in the AB PMJAY Senior Citizen Scheme.
The AB PM-JAY scheme has witnessed continuous expansion of the beneficiary base. Initially, 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families comprising the bottom 40% of India’s population were covered under the scheme. Later, the Government of India, in January 2022 revised the beneficiary base under AB PM-JAY from 10.74 crore to 12 crore families considering India’s decadal population growth of 11.7% over 2011 population.
The scheme was further expanded to cover 37 lakh ASHAs/ AWWs/AWHs working across the country and their families for free healthcare benefits. Taking the mission ahead, AB PM-JAY would now provide free healthcare coverage of Rs 5 lakh to all citizens of the age-group of 70 years and above across the country.