The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has now expanded to include health insurance coverage for senior citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of income or socio-economic status. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Dhanvantari Jayanti and the 9th Ayurveda Day, this extension offers free health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually, benefiting approximately 6 crore senior citizens and impacting 4.5 crore families.
Key Features of the Ayushman Bharat Extension for Senior Citizens
- Universal Health Coverage: All senior citizens above 70 years will receive free medical treatment in hospitals with the new Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card, regardless of income, making the coverage universally accessible.
- Additional Top-Up: For senior citizens in families already covered under AB PM-JAY, there is an additional top-up cover of Rs 5 lakh, exclusively for individuals aged 70 and above.
- Flexibility with Other Schemes: Senior citizens who are part of schemes like CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF can choose to continue with their existing coverage or opt into AB PM-JAY.
Applying for the Ayushman Bharat Card
- Eligibility Check:
- Visit the PMJAY website and use the “Am I Eligible” tab.
- Verify eligibility using OTP-based mobile verification, selecting your state and scheme.
- Registration Process:
- Open Ayushman UP Portal and click on “# Register Yourself on SETU.”
- Complete registration by filling in the necessary details and submitting the form.
- KYC and Card Download:
- After registration, complete KYC verification.
- Upon approval, download the Ayushman Card by entering your Aadhaar number and OTP for verification.
Additional Information
The Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card is expected to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs significantly, benefiting the elderly population across income groups. However, the scheme is not currently available in Delhi and West Bengal.
For more details or assistance, users can check the PMJAY website or visit local health offices for support with registration and card issuance.
