All above 70 to get Rs 5 lakh free treatment under Ayushman

In a move aimed at expanding the beneficiary base of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), the Cabinet on Wednesday approved the inclusion of all citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of income, under it.

As per the proposal cleared by the Cabinet, the eligible senior citizens would be issued a new distinct card under the AB PM-JAY. Those belonging to families already covered under the scheme will get an additional top-up cover up to Rs 5 lakh per year for themselves (which they won’t be able to share with other members of the family who are below the age of 70).

The families not covered under the scheme will get a shared cover of Rs 5 lakh per year. The senior citizens aged 70 and above who are already availing of benefits of other public health insurance schemes such as the Central Government Health Scheme, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme and the Ayushman Central Armed Police Force among others, may either choose their existing scheme or opt for the AB PM-JAY, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw told mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting. The move aims to benefit approximately 4.5 crore families, including six crore senior citizens, with a Rs 5 lakh free health insurance cover on a family basis.

It has been clarified that senior citizens aged 70 and above who are under private health insurance policies or the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme will be eligible to avail of the benefits under the AB PM-JAY. Vaishnaw said the scheme also had a states’ component for which the formula would be shared soon. He said the scheme would be rolled out in a systematic manner by the Health Ministry.

Apart from West Bengal and Delhi, all other state governments had adopted the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the minister told reporters.

The expansion of the scheme to cover senior citizens of the age of 70 and above was earlier announced by PM in April 2024.