Central Government Extends Ayushman Bharat Health Scheme Benefits to Citizens Aged 70 and Above

The central government on Wednesday gave a big relief to people above 70 years of age in the country. The government has now given entry to the 70-plus age group in the Ayushman Bharat Health Scheme. Modi Cabinet approved this proposal. That is, under Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana, now people of 70 plus age group will also get free treatment. According to the government, under this, 6 crore senior citizens will be able to get free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh. Along with this, they will also get free health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav informed about this decision of the Modi cabinet on Wednesday. The government said in a statement, "With this approval, all senior citizens of 70 years of age or above, irrespective of their socio-economic status, will be eligible to avail the benefits of the scheme. A new separate card will be issued to eligible senior citizens under AB PM-JAY." The government said that senior citizens aged 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under the scheme will get an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh every year for themselves (which they will not have to share with other family members who are below 70 years of age).

Senior citizens (70 years or above) who are already availing benefits of other public health insurance schemes like the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), and Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) can either choose their existing scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY.

The government has also clarified that senior citizens aged 70 years or above who are under private health insurance policies or the Employees State Insurance Scheme will be eligible to avail benefits under AB PM-JAY.

The Central Government launched the Ayushman Bharat Scheme in the year 2017 under the National Health Policy. Under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, treatment can be done in selected government and private hospitals across the country. There is also a rule of refund under this scheme for the expenses incurred 10 days before and after admission. However, many states including West Bengal are refusing to accept this scheme. In such states, their scheme runs.