Universal Health Coverage for Senior Citizens:
The Union Cabinet approved health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income.
This initiative is part of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
Benefits:
Senior citizens will receive ₹5 lakh free health insurance cover per family.
Approximately 4.5 crore families with six crore senior citizens will benefit from this scheme.
Eligible senior citizens will be issued a distinct new card under the AB PM-JAY.
Eligibility:
Senior citizens aged 70 and above are eligible.
There is no income or wealth criterion.
Senior citizens from covered families will receive an additional top-up cover of ₹5 lakh per year.
Senior citizens enrolled in schemes like CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF can choose between their existing scheme and AB PM-JAY.
Senior citizens with private health insurance or ESI are also eligible for AB PM-JAY benefits.
AB PM-JAY is the world's largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, providing health cover to 55 crore individuals.
The expansion of coverage to senior citizens was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April.
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