The Central Government has approved health insurance coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) for all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income or socio-economic status. Announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, this move is expected to benefit approximately 6 crore senior citizens from 4.5 crore families by providing ₹5 lakh health coverage per year.
Key Details:
- New Distinct Card: Eligible senior citizens will receive a special card that provides them access to the benefits of AB PM-JAY.
- Additional Top-Up: Senior citizens already covered under AB PM-JAY will receive an extra ₹5 lakh health cover exclusively for themselves.
- Flexibility: Seniors benefiting from other public health schemes, such as CGHS or ECHS, can either stay with their current plans or opt for AB PM-JAY.
- Private Insurance: Seniors with private health insurance or Employee’s State Insurance are also eligible for AB PM-JAY coverage.
This expanded coverage aims to provide additional healthcare support for the elderly, following Prime Minister Modi’s April 2024 announcement. Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, covers 55 crore people and has facilitated 7.37 crore hospital admissions so far.
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