Ayushman Bharat enrollment for senior citizens is likely to start this week; know eligibility, details of schemes

The Union Cabinet has extended the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to senior citizens who are above the age of 70. The Ayushman Bharat program offers free health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh annually on a family basis.

All senior citizens, regardless of income, who are 70 years of age or older will be covered by Ayushman Bharat health insurance soon.


​Find eligible Ayushman Bharat hospital list near you​

Enrollment for senior citizens aged 70 and above under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is set to start within a week, reported TOI. This new phase will initially launch as a pilot program in selected locations before being rolled out nationwide. The announcement of covering all senior citizens above the age of 70 years under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, came on September 11, 2024

With free health insurance coverage up to Rs 5 lakh per family, this extension is expected to help about 4.5 crore families, including 6 crore senior persons. All senior citizens in this age range, regardless of their socioeconomic status, will be able to access the advantages of the system with this permission. In order to fully address health needs at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, the purpose is to develop transformative interventions.

New distinct card
Eligible senior citizens aged 70 and above will receive a new, distinct card under the AB-PMJAY scheme.
Top-up coverage
Senior citizens in households who are currently insured by AB-PMJAY would receive additional top-up insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh each year. This supplement will be for them only, and they will not be required to share it with any other family members under the age of 70.
Family coverage
Senior citizens who are not part of a current AB PMJAY family coverage would receive a cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year on a family basis.

Senior citizens who are already benefiting from other public health insurance schemes like the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have the option to either continue with their current scheme or opt for AB-PMJAY.

Senior citizens who are covered by private health insurance policies or the Employees’ State Insurance scheme are also eligible to benefit from AB-PMJAY.