The Union Cabinet has recently approved a new health coverage plan for senior citizens. Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), people aged 70 and above will now get health insurance worth ₹5 lakh. This coverage is available to all senior citizens, no matter how much money they have.
This decision was announced by the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Wednesday. According to the Minister, this new plan will help 4.5 crore families across India. The government has made it clear that all seniors who are 70 years old or older will be able to benefit from this scheme, regardless of their financial situation.
This means that if you are a senior citizen over the age of 70, you will be eligible for this health coverage, which can help cover medical expenses and improve access to healthcare services.
Ayushman Bharat Expands to Include All 70+ Citizens
The Union Cabinet has recently approved an important change to the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) health insurance scheme. This new update means that all senior citizens who are 70 years old or older will now receive health coverage, regardless of their income level.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained after the Cabinet meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to extend this health insurance benefit to all seniors aged 70 and above. This means that many families who are already covered by the scheme will see even more benefits.
Specifically, families with senior citizens will get an extra health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh on top of their existing coverage.
The goal of this expansion is to provide Rs 5 lakh in free health insurance to a total of six crore senior citizens, who are part of 4.5 crore families. This will help ensure that older adults have access to necessary medical care without having to worry about the cost.
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New Health Insurance Card for Seniors
Eligible beneficiaries will receive a new, unique card under the scheme. Senior citizens aged 70 and above who are currently covered by other public health insurance programs—like the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)—can either continue with their current scheme or choose to enroll in AB-PMJAY.
How to Get Government-Free Health Insurance?
For Senior Citizens (70+ Years):
You will receive a special card under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) for health coverage.
Additional Coverage:
If you’re already covered by AB PM-JAY, you’ll get an extra ₹5 lakh per year specifically for senior family members.
Existing Public Health Insurance Holders:
If you’re already covered by another public health scheme, you can either keep your current plan or switch to AB PM-JAY for additional benefits.
What is Ayushman Bharat scheme?
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is the largest publicly funded health coverage program in the world.
- It offers up to ₹5 lakh per family each year for hospitalizations requiring secondary and tertiary care.
- The scheme benefits 55 crore people from 12.34 crore families, covering all ages.
- It has supported 7.37 crore hospital admissions, with 49% of the beneficiaries being women.
- To date, this initiative has provided over ₹1 lakh crore in healthcare benefits.
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FAQs
Q.1. What is the new health coverage plan for senior citizens under Ayushman Bharat?
Ans. The plan provides ₹5 lakh health insurance annually for senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income.
Q.2. Who will benefit from this new scheme?
Ans. All senior citizens aged 70 and older are eligible, helping 4.5 crore families across India.
Q.3. How does this plan affect existing health insurance for seniors?
Ans. Seniors can either continue with their current public health insurance or switch to the Ayushman Bharat scheme for additional benefits.
Q.4. How can senior citizens get this new health insurance card?
Ans. Eligible seniors will receive a unique card under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana for health coverage.
Q.5. What is Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana?
Ans. It is the world’s largest publicly funded health coverage program, offering up to ₹5 lakh per family annually for hospitalizations and benefiting 55 crore people.
