All citizens above 70, irrespective of income, to be covered under health insurance scheme by central government
In a major move towards healthcare reform, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved extending health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their income, under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). The decision is expected to benefit around 4.5 crore families, covering approximately six crore senior citizens, and providing a health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per family annually.
Key Details of the Scheme Expansion:
- All senior citizens aged 70 and above will now be eligible for AB PM-JAY benefits, regardless of their socio-economic status.
- A special card will be issued to eligible senior citizens, distinguishing them from other beneficiaries.
- For families already covered under AB PM-JAY, senior members aged 70 and above will receive an additional top-up cover of ₹5 lakh per year, which will not be shared with younger family members.
- Senior citizens not already covered by AB PM-JAY will receive health insurance up to ₹5 lakh on a family basis.
- Those availing of public health insurance schemes like the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), and Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) will have the option to either retain their current coverage or switch to AB PM-JAY.
- Additionally, senior citizens covered under private health insurance or the Employees’ State Insurance scheme will be eligible to opt for AB PM-JAY.
Expansion of AB PM-JAY:
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, covering 55 crore individuals from 12.34 crore families. It offers ₹5 lakh health coverage per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalizations. Since its inception, the scheme has facilitated over 7.37 crore hospital admissions, with 49% of the beneficiaries being women. To date, the public has benefited by more than ₹1 lakh crore through the scheme.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the expansion of AB PM-JAY in April 2024, aimed at providing health insurance to all senior citizens aged 70 and above across India. Previously, AB PM-JAY covered 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families, representing the bottom 40% of India’s population. In January 2022, the beneficiary base was expanded to 12 crore families, considering India’s population growth. Furthermore, the scheme has extended its reach to include 37 lakh ASHA, Anganwadi, and AWW workers and their families.
Impact on Senior Citizens:
This expansion is a significant step in ensuring healthcare access for the elderly population, allowing them to receive free treatment for serious illnesses without the burden of financial constraints. It is expected to relieve millions of senior citizens and their families from healthcare-related expenses and ensure better health outcomes.
This initiative reinforces the government’s commitment to providing universal healthcare, especially to vulnerable sections of society, through the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme.
