Ayushman Bharat Expands Coverage to Senior Citizens Above 70
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a significant expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to cover all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income. This decision aims to benefit approximately 4.5 crore families, translating to around 6 crore senior citizens across India.
Key Features of Ayushman Bharat
- Coverage Amount: The scheme offers a health insurance cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. This coverage is available to approximately 10.74 crore families, which translates to around 50 crore beneficiaries.
- Cashless Treatment: Beneficiaries can avail cashless treatment at any empanelled public or private hospital across India. The scheme covers a wide range of medical procedures, including hospitalization costs, pre and post-hospitalization expenses, and various diagnostic services.
- No Premium Payment: Families do not have to pay any premium to benefit from the scheme, making it accessible to those who might otherwise struggle with healthcare costs.
- Inclusion of Senior Citizens: Recently, the scheme has been expanded to include all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, providing them with an additional ₹5 lakh top-up coverage for their medical needs, irrespective of their income status. This change aims to ease the financial burden of healthcare on elderly citizens, who often face higher medical expenses as they age.
Implementation and Management
- State Health Agencies: The implementation of the scheme is managed by State Health Agencies (SHA) in partnership with the central government. States have the flexibility to implement the scheme through various models, including insurance companies or direct management through trusts.
- IT Infrastructure: A robust IT platform has been established to manage the scheme, ensuring a paperless and cashless transaction process for beneficiaries.
Impact and Goals
Ayushman Bharat aims to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures significantly, thereby improving access to quality healthcare services for the poorest and most vulnerable populations in India. The scheme is designed to address the unmet healthcare needs of the population, leading to timely treatments, improved health outcomes, and enhanced quality of life.
Conclusion
Ayushman Bharat represents a significant step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in India, addressing the healthcare needs of millions while promoting a more equitable health system. The recent expansion to include senior citizens highlights the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations in accessing necessary healthcare services without financial strain.