Now Ayushman Bharat health insurance coverage to all above 70: Know details

New Delhi, Sept 12: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved extension of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to provide health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of their income level.

After the Cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the scheme will benefit around six crore senior citizens with up to Rs 5 lakh health coverage to eligible beneficiaries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and lauded the scheme saying, “We are committed to ensuring accessible, affordable and top-quality healthcare for every Indian. This scheme will ensure dignity, care and security to six crore citizens!”

Eligibility:

All senior citizens aged 70 and above are eligible under the scheme to get a health cover of Rs 5 lakh on a family basis.

“If two senior citizens of a family are above 70 years, then the Rs 5 lakh coverage will be shared between them," as explained by Minister Vaishnaw.

Additionally, senior citizens who belong to families already under the AB PM-JAY scheme, can get an additional top up of Rs 5 lakh on their health insurance, which is entirely for themselves and does not need to be shared with their family.

Besides, senior citizens covered under private health insurance can also avail of this scheme

However, senior citizens covered under other public health insurance schemes such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) will have to make a choice between their existing insurance scheme or the AB PM-JAY scheme.

All eligible beneficiaries will be issued a distinct card to avail the scheme.