Ayushman Bharat: Govt Approves Rs 5 Lakh Health Coverage For All Senior Citizens. Check Eligibility, Benefits

Centre on Wednesday announced its decision to provide universal health coverage for all senior citizens under Ayushman Bharat, irrespective of their income.

Centre on Wednesday announced its decision to provide universal health coverage for all senior citizens under Ayushman Bharat, irrespective of their income.

Source : PTI

Ayushman Bharat: The central government on Wednesday announced its decision to provide universal health coverage for all senior citizens under its flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). Under this, 4.5 crore families will be benefitted after the extension. The announcement was made by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, September 11.

Here's all you need to know about centre's universal health coverage under Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana:

• With the introduction of universal health coverage, all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, will now be brought under Ayushman Bharat, irrespective of their income or socio-economic status.
• It aims to benefit 4.5 crore families with six crore senior citizens with five lakh rupees free health insurance cover on a family basis.
• The beneficiary base of the scheme comprises 12.3 crore families.
• Those citizens who will not be covered under the PMJAY will be given Rs 5 lakh.
• The elgibile senior citizens aged 70 and above will be issued a new distinct card number under the AB PM-JAY.
• Those already availing the benefits will be given an additional top-up cover of upto Rs 5 lakh per year for themselves.
• The government has stated that the senior citizens availing the benfit of universal health coverage do not have to share it with other family members who are below the age of 70 years.
• Senior citizens of the age 70 years and above, already availing benefits of other health insurance schemes such as Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), or Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), may either choose their existing scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY. 
• Those senior citizens who are under private health insurance policies or Employees' State Inurance scheme are also eligible to get the benefits under AB PM-JAY.
• AB PM-JAY, according to the government, is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, aimed at providing health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year. This includes coverage for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to 55 crore individuals corresponding to 12.34 crore families.
• The scheme has covered 7.37 crore hospital admissions, which includes 49 percent women beneficiaries. The public has benefited to the extent of over Rs. 1 lakh crore under the scheme, a government statement noted.
• The AB PM-JAY scheme has witnessed continued expansion over the years. Initially, the scheme included a 10.74 crore base of poor and vulnerable families. Thereafter, it was revised and increased to 12 crore families in January 2022. 37 lakh ASHAs/AWHs/ AWWs were added to its beneficiary base later. 
• Now, the cabinet has extended the scheme and included free health coverage of Rs 5 lakh to senior citizens of age 70 and above across the country.