What is the Pradhan Mantri Senior Citizen Health Scheme?

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The Pradhan Mantri Senior Citizen Health Scheme refers to the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which provides Rs. 5 lakh health coverage per family every year.


After the major expansion announced on September 11, 2024, this scheme now covers all Indian elderly aged 70 and above. Scroll down to explore all the latest consumer-friendly developments:


What are the Latest Key Updates Under AB PM-JAY?


Intending to offer benefits to nearly 4.5 crore families, which comprises 6 crore senior citizens, this scheme has recently gone through several remarkable updates.



  • Exclusive Beneficiary Card


As per the Union Cabinet approval, all eligible senior citizens belonging to the specified age group will receive a new, separate card to avail the AB PM-JAY scheme benefit.



  • Additional Benefits Exclusively for the Elderly


Suppose a family with elderly members aged 70 or above has already enrolled their name under this scheme. Then also, senior members of this family will receive an extra top-up coverage of Rs. 5 lakh per year.


This extra coverage is solely for themselves. They do not need to share the total sum insured with other family members who don’t qualify for the age criteria.



  • Coverage for Uncovered Senior Citizens


For instance, a family with senior citizens did not enrol themselves to avail AB PM-JAY family coverage. If the elderly members now apply for it, they will receive health cover of up to Rs. 5 lakh per year.


In this case, the Union Cabinet will provide coverage on a family basis for the eligible senior members.



  • Flexibility to Continue or Switch Schemes


It is another notable update that has boosted the effectiveness of the AB PM-JAY scheme. Senior citizens who already opted for public medical insurance schemes can switch to AB PM-JAY, as per their choice.


The government-backed schemes that are considered for this flexibility are the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), or Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF).



  • Eligible Despite Having Other Insurance


Not only public medical insurance plans! Even if the people aged 70 or above are covered by private health insurance or the Employees' State Insurance scheme, they can apply to obtain the AB PM-JAY senior citizen benefits.


How Effective is the Scheme?


Considering the latest data on the Press Information Bureau report, the department issued more than 42 crore Ayushman cards.


After the major expansion, over 86 lakh elderly people now have this card that helps them obtain free healthcare coverage.


However, this world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme covers all specialised, complex, and expensive hospital treatment expenses, including 3 days of pre- and 15 days post-hospitalisation costs.