Health

In a move that will benefit 4.5 crore families, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

The coverage aims to benefit six crore senior citizens from 4.5 crore families with Rs five lakh free health insurance cover. Eligible beneficiaries will be issued a new distinct card under the scheme, the government said.

“Senior citizens of the age 70 years and above who are already availing benefits of other public health insurance schemes such as Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) may either choose their existing scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY,” it said. However those under private health insurance policies or Employees’ State Insurance Scheme will be eligible to avail benefits under AB PM-JAY

Vaishnaw also explained that the health coverage will be shared by the eligible beneficiaries of a family. “If there are two senior citizens (70 years+) in a family, then the Rs 5 lakh coverage will be shared between them.”