NEW DELHI: In a significant move towards universal health coverage, the central government has decided to extend the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) scheme to cover all senior citizens aged 70 years and above. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their economic background.

Previously, the Ayushman Bharat scheme, dubbed the world's largest government-run health insurance program, only provided coverage to individuals from economically weaker sections of society. However, the new decision aims to ensure that India's rapidly growing elderly population has access to comprehensive and affordable healthcare services.

This decision will benefit approximately 4.5 crore families, with 6 crore senior citizens receiving Rs 5 lakh health insurance cover on a family basis. Under the new scheme, senior citizens aged 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year for themselves (which they do not have to share with other family members below the age of 70).

All other senior citizens aged 70 years and above will get coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per year on a family basis. Senior citizens aged 70 years and above who are already availing benefits of other public health insurance schemes such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) may either choose their existing scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY. It has also been clarified that senior citizens aged 70 years and above who are under private health insurance policies or the Employees’ State Insurance scheme will be eligible to avail benefits under AB PM-JAY.

"Ensuring the health and well-being of our senior citizens is a top priority for the government," said the Union Health Minister. "By expanding the Ayushman Bharat scheme to cover all individuals aged 70 and above, we are taking a significant step towards providing universal health coverage and financial protection for the elderly in India."

"This is a much-needed and long-awaited decision that will greatly benefit the senior citizens of our country," said the president of a leading senior citizens' welfare organization. "Access to quality healthcare is crucial for the elderly, and the Ayushman Bharat scheme will go a long way in addressing their medical needs."

The AB PM-JAY scheme, which was first introduced in 2017, has witnessed continuous expansion of its beneficiary base. Initially, 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families comprising the bottom 40% of India’s population were covered under the scheme. Later, the government, in January 2022, revised the beneficiary base under AB PM-JAY from 10.74 crore to 12 crore families, considering India’s decadal population growth of 11.7% over the 2011 population.

The scheme was further expanded to cover 37 lakh ASHAs/AWWs/AWHs working across the country and their families for free healthcare benefits. Taking the mission ahead, AB PM-JAY would now provide free healthcare coverage of Rs 5 lakh to all citizens aged 70 years and above across the country.