Citizens Aged Over 70 To Be Covered Under Rs 5 Lakh Health Coverage: Centre (image: x.com/sahilbhadviya)
The Union Government had decided to expand the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), which provides insurance cover up to Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year to vulnerable entitled families, to all the people aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income level, according to a release issued by the Union Government.
A great relief to the anxieties of the elderly populations of the country, the scheme, which currently serves in an income-based manner, would provide Rs 5 lakh shared annual coverage to all members of eligible families. With the cabinet clearing the extension, an additional Rs 6 crore people in this age group will be able to avail the benefits.
All senior citizens aged 70 and above are eligible for the scheme, applicable on a family basis, and the health coverage of Rs 5 lakh will be shared if there are two senior citizens aged above 70 in a family, according to the government’s explanation.
Read Also: Budget 2024: Health Allocation Under Modi Government In Last 10 Years
The eligible beneficiaries will be given a new card under PM-JAY, and the people who are already availing benefits of other public health insurance schemes such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), the and the Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) may either continue their existing scheme or choose AB PM-JAY. Moreover, those above the age of 70 who are under private health insurance policies or the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme can avail of the benefits of the scheme.
Read Also: 4,532 Children Received Benefits Under PM CARES For Children: Minister
“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 the 2011 population,” said the release, adding that the scheme was further expanded to cover 37 lakh ASHAs/AWWs/AWHs working across the country and their families for free healthcare benefits.
Sharing the release, Prime Minister Modi on his social media platform said that the scheme will ensure dignity, care, and security for 6 crore citizens.
“We are committed to ensuring accessible, affordable, and top-quality healthcare for every Indian. In this context, the Cabinet today has decided to further expand the ambit of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to provide health coverage for all citizens above 70 years. This scheme will ensure dignity, care, and security for 6 crore citizens!” wrote the Prime Minister.
We are committed to ensuring accessible, affordable and top quality healthcare for every Indian. In this context, the Cabinet today has decided to further expand the ambit of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to provide health coverage for all citizens above 70 years. This scheme will…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 11, 2024
