Centre extends Ayushman Bharat to all 70+ citizens, regardless of income
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved an extension of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to cover all Indian citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income. This move, announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday, is set to benefit approximately six crore senior citizens across the nation.
The expanded scheme will provide a free health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh to elderly individuals from an estimated 4.5 crore families. To facilitate easy identification and access, eligible beneficiaries will be issued distinct cards under this initiative.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his government’s commitment to this cause on social media platform X, stating: “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 to six crore citizens!”
The coverage details reveal a comprehensive approach to senior healthcare. For families already enrolled in AB PM-JAY, senior members aged 70 and above will receive an additional top-up cover of Rs 5 lakh per year, separate from the family’s existing coverage. Senior citizens not previously covered will now be eligible for a family-based cover of up to Rs 5 lakh annually. Importantly, the government has clarified that seniors currently under private health insurance policies or the Employees’ State Insurance scheme will also be eligible for AB PM-JAY benefits. However, those already benefiting from other public health insurance schemes like the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) will have the option to either retain their existing coverage or switch to AB PM-JAY.
This expansion builds upon the already impressive reach of the AB PM-JAY, which the government touts as the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme. Currently, it provides an annual health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to 55 crore individuals across 12.34 crore families. The scheme has already facilitated 7.37 crore hospital admissions, with 49 per cent of beneficiaries being women, resulting in public benefits exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore.
The AB PM-JAY has seen continuous growth since its inception. Initially covering 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families, it was expanded in January 2022 to include 12 crore families, accounting for India’s 11.7 per cent population growth since 2011. The scheme further extended its reach to cover 37 lakh ASHAs, AWWs, and AWHs along with their families.
