Union Cabinet Approves Expanded Ayushman Bharat Scheme for Senior Citizens

The Union Cabinet has made a significant move to enhance healthcare access for senior citizens by approving an expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPM-JAY). Under this expanded scheme, all senior citizens aged 70 years and above will receive health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh annually, regardless of their income. This initiative is set to benefit 45 million households and 60 million senior citizens across the country.

Eligible senior citizens will receive new separate cards for this scheme, allowing them to access the health insurance coverage. Additionally, those already covered under the ABPM-JAY can avail of an additional top-up cover of up to ₹7.5 lakh per annum. For seniors who are already beneficiaries of other public health insurance schemes, there is an option to either continue with their current scheme or opt for the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his commitment to providing accessible and high-quality healthcare for all citizens through a post on the social media platform X. He highlighted that the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY will ensure dignity, care, and security for six crore senior citizens. The Prime Minister’s statement reflects the government’s broader goal of making healthcare more inclusive and comprehensive.

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana aims to cover secondary and tertiary care hospitalisations up to ₹5 lakh per annum for approximately 55 crore beneficiaries. This includes 12.34 crore households from the bottom 40 percent of India’s population, ensuring that the most vulnerable groups have access to necessary medical treatments.

In addition to this, the Cabinet has also approved the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM e-Drive) scheme, with a budget of ₹10,900 crore over the next two years. This initiative aims to boost the adoption of electric vehicles and drive innovation in the sector.

For those looking to benefit from the Ayushman Bharat scheme, applying for an Ayushman card is essential. The application process can be completed online through the Ayushman Mitra app or the official website pmjay.gov.in. Applicants need to provide documents such as an Aadhaar card, domicile certificate, and photograph. The steps to apply online are as follows:

Visit the PM-JAY Website: Go to pmjay.gov.in and click on the ABHA registration button.
Enter Aadhaar Information: Input your Aadhaar card details.
Verify OTP: Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number to verify your Aadhaar.
Await Approval: Wait for the application to be reviewed and accepted.
Download Card: Once approved, download your Ayushman card.
Print and Use: Print the card to avail of cashless services at participating hospitals.

This expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana represents a significant step towards improving healthcare accessibility for the elderly population in India, ensuring that they receive the care and protection they need.