Government Extends Ayushman Bharat to All Above Age of 70: Expanded Health Coverage for Senior Citizens
In a major boost to healthcare for the elderly, the Union Cabinet has approved the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to cover all senior citizens aged 70 and above. This move is set to benefit approximately 60 million senior citizens from 45 million families, offering them free health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per year on a family basis. The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to extending healthcare access to India’s aging population, a demographic that is growing rapidly.
Ayushman Bharat: An Overview
Launched in September 2018, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is one of the largest publicly funded health insurance schemes in the world. It provides cashless and paperless healthcare coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalizations across a network of empaneled hospitals. The scheme originally focused on providing financial protection to the economically vulnerable, covering over 55 crore people from 12.34 crore families. So far, more than 7.37 crore hospital admissions have been covered under the scheme, with 49% of beneficiaries being women.
Expanded Coverage for Senior Citizens
With the Cabinet’s recent decision, all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their socio-economic status, are now eligible to benefit from AB-PMJAY. This expansion, which comes at a financial outlay of ₹3,437 crore, is set to provide critical health coverage to elderly citizens, many of whom are vulnerable to health issues and often face financial barriers to accessing care.
Under the new provisions, senior citizens will receive a distinct AB-PMJAY card, allowing them to avail of free healthcare services at any of the scheme’s empaneled hospitals. For families already covered under AB-PMJAY, senior citizens aged 70 and above will get an additional top-up of ₹5 lakh per year. This means that their healthcare needs will be covered without impacting the health coverage available to other members of the family under the scheme.
Flexibility for Senior Citizens Covered Under Other Schemes
Senior citizens who are already benefiting from other public health insurance schemes, such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), will have the option to either continue with their existing plan or choose to opt into AB-PMJAY. This flexibility ensures that elderly citizens can select the healthcare coverage that best meets their needs.
In addition, those covered under private health insurance policies or the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) scheme will also be eligible to avail of the benefits offered by AB-PMJAY. This allows for wider access to healthcare services and greater financial protection for senior citizens, regardless of their previous coverage.
A Step Towards Meeting India’s Aging Population Needs
This expansion is a significant step towards addressing the growing healthcare needs of India’s elderly population. According to the India Ageing Report 2023, published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), one-fifth of India’s population will be above the age of 60 by 2050. The report highlights that the percentage of elderly citizens in India has been increasing rapidly in recent years. The elderly population is projected to rise from 10.5% in 2022 to 20.8% in 2050, and by the end of the century, over 36% of India’s population will be above the age of 60.
The government’s move to extend AB-PMJAY coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above is in line with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) manifesto promise to provide increased healthcare access to the elderly. As the country ages, healthcare services specifically tailored to the needs of senior citizens will be crucial in ensuring their well-being and financial security.
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Financial Protection and Access to Care
One of the key features of Ayushman Bharat is the financial protection it offers. With the ₹5 lakh annual coverage, families are safeguarded against catastrophic healthcare expenses that can otherwise lead to debt and financial hardship. By extending this coverage specifically to senior citizens, the government is addressing a demographic that is particularly vulnerable to high healthcare costs due to age-related illnesses.
Furthermore, the cashless and paperless nature of the scheme ensures that senior citizens can access treatment without the burden of upfront payments or complicated administrative procedures. With a vast network of empaneled hospitals across the country, beneficiaries can receive quality care at both public and private institutions.
Conclusion
The Union Cabinet’s decision to extend Ayushman Bharat coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above marks a significant step in India’s journey towards universal healthcare. With the population of elderly citizens expected to grow sharply in the coming decades, providing accessible and affordable healthcare is essential.
By offering ₹5 lakh in free health insurance coverage, the government is ensuring that senior citizens can access necessary healthcare services without financial strain. The distinct AB-PMJAY card for elderly citizens, along with the flexibility for those already covered under other schemes, ensures that India’s aging population is well-protected in terms of health and well-being.
As India continues to age, initiatives like this will be critical in building a more inclusive healthcare system that meets the needs of all citizens, particularly the elderly.
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