The Union Government has approved health coverage under the national insurance scheme, which is named Ayushman Bharat. The health insurance coverage is for everyone aged 70 years and above. The AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance program, offering health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family annually.
Health Insurance Coverage For Everyone Above 70
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated in the Union Cabinet that
“The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) will benefit 4.5 crore families with six crore senior citizens. The free cover is worth Rs. 5 lakh and will be on a family basis.”
After the Prime Minister’s announcement, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said,
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a commitment that all senior citizens above the age of 70 years will be given coverage under Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana. There are many families that are already covered and have senior citizens. In such families, additional coverage and top-up coverage will be Rs 5 lakhs.”
Eligibility For Senior Citizens With Existing Health Coverage
Those senior citizens who are over 70 years old and already covered under the other public health insurance schemes, via the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), and Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), will not be allowed to register in both schemes. They can either continue with their existing scheme or enter AB PMJAY.
Scheme Covers All The Members Of Eligible Families
The government said that the scheme covers all the members of eligible families. The scheme has covered 7.37 crore hospital admissions, including 49% women beneficiaries. Rs. 1 lakh crore people have gotten benefits under the scheme. They further added they have witnessed a continuous expansion of the beneficiary base. Initially, 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families comprising the bottom 40% of India’s population were covered under the scheme.
This expansion will contribute to fulfilling the health needs of senior citizens, which are high and mostly increase with age. The government is creating room for even more senior citizens by removing income limits. To obtain much-needed health coverage, thereby easing some of the financial burdens that are connected with health issues.
Cost Of This Scheme
The cost of this scheme will be Rs. 3437 crores initially. The state government will bear up to 40% of the expense, and 60% of the expense will be covered by the central government. The center will fund 90% of the fund to states in hilly and northeastern regions.
There is no limit set for the number of family members who can have the Ayushman card. However, if there is any scheme launched by the government, they make sure to have a limit to it. But till now there has been no such announcement from the government.
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