Prime Minister Modi Expands Ayushman Bharat to Benefit Senior Citizens Over 70

The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has expanded the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to include all citizens aged 70 and above. This move will benefit an additional six crore senior citizens, providing them with Rs 5 lakh in free health insurance coverage per year.

The Union Cabinet approved this expansion, which aims to benefit approximately 4.5 crore families. Senior citizens will receive a new distinct card under the health security scheme. Those already covered under the scheme will get an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year.

Senior citizens aged 70 and above who are already availing benefits of other public health insurance schemes may either choose their existing scheme or opt for Ayushman Bharat. Those under private health insurance policies or the Employees’ State Insurance scheme will also be eligible.

Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, providing health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 55 crore individuals. The scheme has covered 7.37 crore hospital admissions, including 49% of women beneficiaries, and has provided benefits worth over Rs 1 lakh crore.

Initially, the scheme covered 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families, which was later expanded to 12 crore families in January 2022. The scheme also covers 37 lakh ASHAs, AWWs, and AWHs working across the country and their families for free healthcare benefits.