If you are 70 years of age or above, then there is good news for you – the government has ‘Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana’ for you. Under this scheme, launched on 29 October 2024, every senior citizen gets free cashless treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh. And the best thing – this benefit is completely free, no premium, no hassle of filling any form.
What used to happen earlier? What has changed now?
Pankaj Navani, CEO, CarePal Secure explains: “The elderly often have to depend on the family for treatment, but now this scheme makes them self-dependent. It is not just a health scheme, but a way to provide dignity and security.”
“Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana is sort of like Ayushman Bharat in terms of the benefits, but the main difference is that it’s only for people above 70. And that actually solves a pretty big issue. Earlier, if you had a family covered under Ayushman Bharat and there were two senior citizens, they all had to share that Rs 5 lakh coverage with the rest of the family. Under this scheme, the seniors get their own Rs 5 lakh coverage, separate from family plans. This means better care for older people and less pressure on the rest of the family during medical emergencies,” he said.
What are the benefits of this scheme?
-Cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year
-Over 2,000 treatments and surgeries covered – dialysis, cancer, heart, ICU, orthopedics, everything
-Treatment starts from day one – no waiting
-Treatment in both government and private hospitals
-Over 30,000 hospitals across the country are on the panel
-There is no caste, religion or income limit – just age should be 70+
How to enroll? Two easy ways
- Online enrollment (if you have a smartphone or computer)
Open beneficiary.nha.gov.in website or Ayushman Bharat app
Enter mobile number linked with Aadhaar and login with OTP
Click on “Senior Citizen 70+ Enrollment”
Enter Aadhaar number, do e-KYC with OTP or biometric
Fill your photo and required information (state, district, caste etc.)
Submit the form and download the digital card in PDF in 15–20 minutes
- Offline enrollment (if you don’t know how to use the internet)
Go to the nearest CSC (Common Service Center) or any Ayushman panel hospital
-Take the Aadhaar card
-The staff there will fill the form for you, take a photo and make your card there itself
-Progress of this scheme across the country so far
-More than 25 lakh elderly people enrolled so far
-About 22,000 people have received treatment worth more than Rs 40 crore
-In states like Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh People are being connected by organizing mobile camps
Also read: Ayushman Vay Vandana Card: How to download Ayushman App, claim Rs 5 lakh health cover
Why is this scheme necessary?
Even today, the reach of insurance is very low in India, especially among the elderly. Most private insurance companies hesitate to provide cover for old age. And the plans that are available are so expensive that the common man cannot even think of it. In such a situation, this scheme of the government is a true ‘suraksha kavach’ for the elderly.
Where will you find the list of hospitals?
You can get information about your nearest panel hospital by visiting the website https://hospitals.pmjay.gov.in. There you can search by state, district, or pincode to see which government and private hospitals are included in the scheme.
Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana is such a step of the government that not only provides treatment, but also gives both respect and security to the elderly. Now, no one needs to look towards children for treatment. This scheme shows that old age is not a burden but a matter of pride — and the government is now realising it.