New Delhi, 11 September: The Union government has approved health coverage for all individuals aged 70 and above under the national insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat, regardless of their economic status.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced that the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) will benefit 4.5 crore families, including six crore senior citizens. The scheme provides free coverage worth Rs 5 lakh on a family basis.
“With this approval, all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status, would be eligible to avail the benefits of AB PM-JAY. The eligible senior citizens would be issued a new distinct card under AB PM-JAY,” the government stated.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, according to the Indian government, is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, covering 550 million families, regardless of the age of family members. The new insurance plan is expected to benefit over 45 million families across the country.
“All senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status, would be eligible to avail the benefits of AB PM-JAY,” reiterated the government.
As of now, Rs 3,437 crore has been allocated for the scheme, with the government stating that this amount will increase over time. “This is a demand-based scheme; as demand increases, coverage will also be expanded,” said Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav.
To avail of the benefits, senior citizens will be issued a separate card under AB PM-JAY. Those already covered under previous AB PM-JAY plans will receive an additional top-up of Rs 6,000 per annum. Senior citizens benefiting from other government policies will have the option to either continue their current plan or switch to the new scheme.
Government data shows that over 73 million hospital admissions have been covered under AB PM-JAY so far, with nearly 50% of beneficiaries being women. The initiative has provided financial benefits exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore to the public.
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