Tue Oct 29 19:47:31 UTC 2024: ## PM Modi Launches Health Coverage for All Senior Citizens Under Ayushman Bharat

**New Delhi:** Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 29th launched a health coverage plan for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their income, under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

This expansion of the flagship scheme will benefit an estimated 6 crore senior citizens in India, belonging to around 4.5 crore families. The scheme provides a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.

**Benefits for Senior Citizens:**

* **All senior citizens aged 70 and above are eligible:** Irrespective of their socioeconomic status, they will receive a new, distinct card 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 up to Rs 5 lakh per year, separate from their family’s coverage.
* **Coverage for other senior citizens:** All other senior citizens aged 70 and above will get a Rs 5 lakh per year coverage on a family basis.
* **Choice for existing beneficiaries:** Senior citizens already availing benefits of other public health insurance schemes like CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF can choose to continue their existing scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY.
* **Private health insurance and ESIC coverage:** Senior citizens with private health insurance or enrolled in the Employees’ State Insurance scheme are also eligible for benefits under AB PM-JAY.

**Aadhaar is the only document needed for enrolment in the AB PM-JAY Senior Citizen Scheme.**

**Expansion of the AB PM-JAY Scheme:**

The scheme has witnessed continuous expansion since its inception. It initially covered 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families. In January 2022, it was expanded to cover 12 crore families, considering the decadal population growth.

In a further expansion, the scheme now covers 37 lakh ASHAs/ AWWs/AWHs and their families across the country.

**Impact of the Scheme:**

AB PM-JAY has already covered 7.37 crore hospital admissions, benefiting over 49% women beneficiaries. The scheme has provided benefits worth over Rs 1 lakh crore to the public.

**This latest expansion of the AB PM-JAY scheme is a significant step towards ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare for all senior citizens in India.**

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