Ayushman Bharat Expands Coverage for Elderly Indians Over 70

September 13, 2024

The Union Cabinet has approved a major expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This expansion now includes all Indians aged 70 and older, regardless of their income. Registration for this extended health coverage is expected to start soon, with the formal launch by the Prime Minister to follow.

Overview of AB PM-JAY

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), launched in 2018, is a cashless health insurance scheme. It provides ₹5 lakh per family per year for healthcare. It covers hospital treatments for over 10 crore families, which equals about 50 crore (500 million) people. The scheme also ensures that even pre-existing conditions are covered, and it’s available without the need to pay a premium. Beneficiaries are identified using data from the 2011 census, targeting families in need.

Eligibility and Registration

Anyone who is 70 years or older can sign up for the scheme. Registration can be done through the Ayushman Bharat app or at designated Ayushman Bharat counters located at government health facilities. Aadhaar (a unique ID card in India) will be used to verify eligibility during registration.

Beneficiaries won’t have to wait or worry about pre-existing health conditions. As soon as they finish the electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) process, they can start using the health benefits without delay.

Benefit Structure

Elderly beneficiaries will receive ₹5 lakh per year for health expenses, and this amount is shared across the family. Families already enrolled in the scheme will get an extra ₹5 lakh specifically for elderly members, but they need to re-register to get this additional coverage.

About 6 crore (60 million) elderly people are expected to benefit from this expansion. Currently, 1.78 crore (17.8 million) people are already covered under the original scheme. An additional 80 lakh (8 million) people are covered by other government health schemes.

Financial Impact of the Scheme

The government will spend ₹3,437 crore for this expansion. States will pay for 40% of the total cost. However, some states like Delhi, West Bengal, and Odisha are not yet participating in the scheme.

India’s population is getting older. By 2050, 19.5% of the population will be aged 60 or above, compared to 8.6% in 2011. Older people are more likely to need healthcare, especially for hospital stays. This scheme ensures they have access to necessary health services.

Women make up 58% of the elderly population, and many of them are widowed, which can make it harder for them to access healthcare. This expanded scheme will be particularly helpful for older women who may not have strong family support.

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