Thu Sep 12 10:49:23 UTC 2024: ## India Expands Ayushman Bharat Scheme to Cover All Senior Citizens

**New Delhi, [Date]** – The Indian government has announced a major expansion of its flagship healthcare scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), to include all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income. This move is expected to benefit approximately 4.5 crore families, with six crore senior citizens now eligible for free health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family.

The decision, approved by the Union Cabinet, comes after a previous announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2024. Previously, AB PM-JAY covered 12.34 crore families, offering health insurance for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. This new expansion ensures that no senior citizen is left behind in accessing essential healthcare.

**Benefits for Senior Citizens:**

* **Free health insurance:** All senior citizens aged 70 years and above will be eligible for a free health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year under AB PM-JAY.
* **Top-up cover for existing beneficiaries:** Senior citizens already covered under AB PM-JAY will receive an additional top-up cover of ₹5 lakh per year, exclusively for themselves.
* **Choice of schemes:** Senior citizens already enrolled in other public health insurance schemes like CGHS or ECHS can choose to continue with their existing scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY.
* **Private insurance coverage:** Individuals with private health insurance policies or those covered under the Employees’ State Insurance scheme are still eligible for AB PM-JAY benefits.

**Impact and Future of AB PM-JAY:**

The AB PM-JAY scheme, launched in 2018, has witnessed significant expansion over the years, with its beneficiary base increasing from 10.74 crore families to 12 crore families. This latest expansion further strengthens the scheme’s commitment to providing universal healthcare access across India.

The government believes that this initiative will play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of senior citizens and further strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in the country.

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