In a significant boost to India’s healthcare support for senior citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that individuals aged 70 and above will now be eligible for free medical treatment with the newly launched ‘Ayushman Vaya Vandana’ card. This initiative, part of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), will take effect from October 29, allowing senior citizens across the nation to access treatment at no cost in empaneled hospitals with coverage up to ₹5 lakh per year.
In addition to launching this benefit for elderly citizens, the Prime Minister also introduced the U-WIN portal, a digital system modeled after Co-WIN (India’s COVID-19 vaccine management system). U-WIN will maintain a permanent vaccination record for children from birth to age 17, as well as for pregnant women, enhancing the accessibility and tracking of essential health services.
“Strengthening healthcare infrastructure is a priority,” PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that the initiatives would make quality and affordable healthcare more accessible to citizens.
Key Highlights of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) for Senior Citizens
- Eligibility: All citizens aged 70+ with Aadhaar cards qualify, regardless of income level.
- Scope of Beneficiaries: Approximately 6 crore citizens, from around 4.5 crore households, are expected to benefit.
- Registration Requirement: Those seeking coverage should register on the PMJAY portal or Ayushman app. Existing cardholders will also need to reapply and complete an eKYC to receive the new Ayushman Vaya Vandana card.
- States and Union Territories: Currently available in 33 states and Union territories, excluding Delhi, Odisha, and West Bengal.
- Additional Benefits: For those in families already covered under AB-PMJAY, individuals aged 70+ will receive an extra annual coverage up to ₹5 lakh, exclusively for themselves.
- Previous Impact: To date, the PMJAY scheme has funded over 7.37 crore hospital admissions, with women representing 49% of beneficiaries, contributing to healthcare savings exceeding ₹1 lakh crore.
- Inclusive Access: Senior citizens with existing private health insurance, Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), or similar schemes can still enroll in AB-PMJAY.
- Choice for Other Public Scheme Users: Beneficiaries of CGHS, ECHS, and CAPF schemes aged 70+ may choose between their current scheme or the Ayushman Bharat coverage.
- Comprehensive Coverage: AB-PMJAY extends to 10.74 crore vulnerable families, covering the bottom 40% of India’s population.
- Empaneled Hospitals: As of September 2024, over 29,000 hospitals, including nearly 13,000 private institutions, are enrolled to offer services under PMJAY.
The launch of the Ayushman Vaya Vandana card and U-WIN portal represent a step forward in making India’s healthcare system more inclusive and supportive of vulnerable populations, ensuring seniors can access critical medical care without financial burden.
