The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is a groundbreaking health initiative, boasting the title of the world’s largest government-funded health insurance program.
This comprehensive scheme offers an impressive ₹5 lakh in annual health coverage for each enrolled family, providing financial protection and access to quality medical care for millions of individuals.
New Delhi: The Union government has approved health coverage to everyone who is 70 and above under the national insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat.
In a significant decision, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to benefit a vast segment of the population.
This move will provide comprehensive health coverage to 4.5 crore families, comprising six crore senior citizens, with a free annual cover of ₹5 lakh per family. This family-based coverage ensures that millions of elderly individuals can access quality medical care without financial burdens.
PM Modi’s Cabinet Expands AB PM-JAY Health Scheme
- Benefits 4.5 crore families with 6 crore senior citizens
- Free ₹5 lakh annual health cover per family
- Ensures quality medical care for millions of elderly individuals.
In a major development, the government has announced that all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their financial background, will now be eligible for the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) benefits. To facilitate this, a unique identification card will be issued to eligible senior citizens, enabling them to access comprehensive healthcare services under the scheme.
Senior citizens aged 70 and above, who are part of families already enrolled in the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), will receive an additional healthcare benefit. They will get a separate top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year, exclusively for themselves, without having to share it with younger family members. This extra coverage will provide enhanced financial protection for elderly individuals, ensuring they receive quality medical care without worrying about costs.
Senior citizens aged 70 and above, who are already enrolled in other government-funded health insurance schemes like CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF, have the flexibility to choose between their existing benefits or switch to the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). They can opt for the scheme that best suits their healthcare needs, ensuring they receive comprehensive coverage without any disruption.
“We are committed to ensuring accessible, affordable and top quality healthcare for every Indian. In this context, the Cabinet today has decided to further expand the ambit of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to provide health coverage for all citizens above 70 years. This scheme will ensure dignity, care and security to 6 crore citizens!”– PM Narendra Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter)
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) scheme has experienced steady growth in its beneficiary base since its inception. Initially, the scheme covered 10.74 crore disadvantaged families, representing the bottom 40% of India’s population.
However, to account for the country’s 11.7% population growth between 2011 and 2021, the government expanded the beneficiary base to 12 crore families in January 2022, ensuring more individuals have access to comprehensive healthcare benefits.
The AB PM-JAY scheme has undergone another significant expansion. In addition to its existing beneficiaries, the scheme now covers 37 lakh Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) across India, providing their families with free healthcare benefits.
Furthermore, the scheme has been broadened to offer free healthcare coverage of ₹5 lakh to all citizens aged 70 and above, nationwide, ensuring comprehensive medical care for the elderly.
