Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to announce a major expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) on October 29. According to a PTI report citing official sources, the initiative will provide health coverage to all citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of their income status. This significant move aims to benefit approximately six crore senior citizens across 4.5 crore households.
🚨 PM Modi to launch health coverage for senior citizens above 70 years on October 29, providing free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh. pic.twitter.com/QEQAeVv5Of
---Advertisement---— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) October 27, 2024
What To Expect With The New Expansion?
The expanded Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) will offer free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh for citizens aged 70 and above at any of the 29,648 hospitals empanelled, including 12,696 private facilities. To access this benefit, eligible individuals must register via the PMJAY portal or the Ayushman app. Current Ayushman cardholders must reapply and complete their eKYC to obtain a new card.
Citizens aged 70 and above who are part of families covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) will now get an extra annual health cover of Rs 5 lakh.
Others in this age group will also be eligible for coverage up to Rs 5 lakh per year on a family basis. This move aims to strengthen financial protection for elderly citizens and support access to essential medical care.
Eligibility And Registration Details For Expanded AB PM-JAY Coverage For Seniors
The expanded AB PM-JAY scheme will offer health coverage to everyone aged 70 and above, regardless of their economic background—including poor, middle-class, upper-middle-class, and wealthy senior citizens.
Once the updated scheme is launched, eligible senior citizens will receive an Ayushman card, entitling them to free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per year at any AB PM-JAY empanelled hospital.
To register, individuals aged 70 and above can apply using their Aadhaar cards on the PM-JAY portal or through the Ayushman app. Those already holding an Ayushman card must reapply and complete eKYC to avail of the new benefits.
Additional Coverage For Existing Beneficiaries
Senior citizens from families already enrolled in the AB-PMJAY are set to benefit from an extra top-up health cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year, in addition to their existing family coverage. This new provision also extends to seniors with private health insurance or Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), offering added financial protection for essential healthcare needs.
PM Modi To Also Launch U-WIN Portal For Digital Immunization Records Alongside Other Key Projects
The Prime Minister is set to launch the U-WIN portal, a digital platform designed to maintain a comprehensive electronic registry of routine immunizations, on Tuesday. Developed as a counterpart to the COVID-19 vaccine management system Co-WIN, the U-WIN portal aims to establish a permanent digital record of vaccinations for pregnant women and children up to age 17 as part of the Universal Immunization Programme. Currently in pilot mode, the U-WIN portal will join a suite of other initiatives set to be introduced the same day, according to a PTI report.
