Tue Oct 29 09:10:00 UTC 2024: ## PM Modi Launches “Ayushman Bharat Nirammayam” – Free Healthcare for Elderly

**New Delhi:** In a significant step towards universal healthcare, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched “Ayushman Bharat Nirammayam” (meaning “Free from Disease”), a new phase of the Ayushman Bharat scheme providing free health insurance coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above.

The initiative was launched at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in Delhi, where PM Modi also inaugurated development projects worth Rs. 12,850 crore.

Under the scheme, all senior citizens, regardless of their income, will be eligible for free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year. This means that even families already benefiting from the Ayushman Bharat scheme will have an additional ₹5 lakh annual health coverage for their senior members. The scheme is expected to benefit over 6 crore senior citizens from around 4.5 crore families across India.

Senior citizens can access this coverage through a special Ayushman card, separate from the existing family Ayushman plan. These cards began being issued on October 29th, with PM Modi handing out some of the first cards at the event. The cards can be generated through the BIS portal or the Ayushman app, requiring senior citizens to update their Aadhaar details and complete KYC verification. Those with private health insurance will have the option of choosing between private and Ayushman Bharat coverage.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the second phase of the country’s first All India Institute of Ayurveda, which includes a Panchakarma hospital, an Ayurvedic pharmacy, a sports medicine unit, a central library, an IT and startup incubation center, and a 500-seater auditorium.

Furthering the initiative, PM Modi launched drone services in 11 tertiary healthcare institutions, aiming to improve accessibility and streamline healthcare delivery.

This move marks a significant expansion of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, extending its benefits to a wider population and emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring accessible healthcare for all citizens.

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