Fri Sep 13 06:47:49 UTC 2024: ## Senior Citizens Now Covered Under Ayushman Bharat Scheme

**New Delhi:** In a significant move, the Indian government has announced that all senior citizens aged 70 years and above will now be covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This decision was announced during a cabinet meeting on September 12th, 2024.

This development has sparked curiosity among citizens about the eligibility criteria and the process for obtaining the Ayushman card.

**Here’s what you need to know:**

* **Coverage:** Senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their income, will receive a health insurance cover of up to INR 5 lakh per year under the scheme.
* **Existing Beneficiaries:** Senior citizens already covered under the scheme will receive an additional top-up cover of INR 5 lakh per year.
* **Multiple Insurance:** Individuals with existing health insurance policies or private health insurance can still avail the benefits of the Ayushman scheme, receiving an additional INR 5 lakh annual cover.
* **Target Beneficiaries:** The government aims to benefit approximately 4.5 crore families, including six crore senior citizens, with a free health insurance cover of INR 5 lakh per family.
* **Family Members:** There is no limit on the number of Ayushman cards that can be generated within a family, as long as all family members meet the eligibility criteria.

**Application Process:**

The government will soon release detailed information regarding the application process.

**Key Statistics:**

As of June 30th, 2024, over 34.7 crore Ayushman cards had been generated under the scheme. During this period, the scheme facilitated the hospitalization of 7.37 crore patients, incurring a cost of over INR 1 lakh crore.

The expanded coverage under Ayushman Bharat is expected to provide much-needed financial relief and access to healthcare for senior citizens across India.

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