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The Indian government has recently announced a significant expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), extending its coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above. This initiative, which aims to provide free health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per year, is expected to benefit approximately 4.5 crore families, including six crore senior citizens.
Prior to this expansion, AB PM-JAY initially covered 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families, representing the bottom 40% of India's population. In January 2022, the beneficiary base was further expanded to 12 crore families to account for the country's population growth. The scheme also includes 37 lakh ASHAs, AWWs, and AWHs working across the country and their families.
Under the new extension, senior citizens already part of families covered under AB PM-JAY will receive an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year, separate from their existing family coverage. Other senior citizens aged 70 and above will be provided with a cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year on a family basis. Individuals already enrolled in 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) can opt to continue with their existing scheme or choose to enroll in AB PM-JAY. Similarly, senior citizens covered under private health insurance policies or the Employees' State Insurance scheme will still be eligible for benefits under AB PM-JAY.
To avail the benefits of AB PM-JAY, eligible individuals can visit the official website at https://abdm.gov.in/. They need to get their Aadhaar card or ration card verified at a PMJAY kiosk, submit family identification proofs, and obtain their printed e-card with a unique AB-PMJAY ID. This comprehensive health insurance scheme covers various healthcare expenses, including pre-hospitalization care for up to three days before admission, medical examinations, treatments, and consultations, medications and medical supplies, non-intensive and intensive care services (including ICU), diagnostic tests and laboratory investigations, medical implants (if required), accommodation and meals during hospitalization, complications that occur during treatment, and post-hospitalization follow-up care for up to 15 days after discharge.
Source: Ayushman Bharat: Senior citizens above 70 years to get Rs 5 lakh health insurance