Centre announces health insurance of 5 lakh for all citizens above 70 under Ayushman Bharat

Public Lokpal
September 11, 2024

New Delhi: The cabinet has approved universal health coverage for senior citizens in a big move to enhance the kind of geriatric care India’s aged receive. It announced on Wednesday that those above 70 years above irrespective of income will be covered under the flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

This initiative aims to provide free health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family to approximately 4.5 crore families, benefiting around 6 crore senior citizens.

“All senior citizens of the age 70 years and above irrespective of their socio- economic status would be eligible to avail the benefits of AB PM-JAY. The eligible senior citizens would be issued a new distinct card under AB PM-JAY. The senior citizens of the age 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover up to ₹5 lakh per year for themselves,” a government press release said.

Under the Digital Agriculture Mission, for which ₹2,187 crore will be allocated, the government plans to create an end-user mobile-based transactions and information platform for farmers, similar to the Unified Payments Interface, Union minister of information and broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said, briefing reporters.