On Tuesday, the Union Cabinet cleared the proposal for free health insurance for senior citizens aged 70 and above. It is under a vital scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-AB PM-JAY, popularly described as one of the largest public health schemes in the world.
Under the new scheme, they would be covered for up to ₹ 5 lakh annually and is likely to cover almost 6 crore senior citizens of India. The scheme would be on demand assessment and with an initial budget of ₹ 3,437 crore.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the news, which showed the government’s determination to provide essential healthcare services to the elderly. The Health Ministry will provide the terms the date of commencement of implementation of the scheme.
The free health insurance for senior citizens will be made available for all these people aged 70 years and above irrespective of their earnings. The new policy on the provision of substantial health assistance to older persons will ensure that quality health services are accessed at a low cost or zero cost by them.
AB PM-JAY is covering 55 crore people from 12.34 crore families. According to the new rule, this Rs 5 lakh cover will be provided for a total of around 70 lakh senior citizens when they reach 70 years of age or above. Preexisting enrollees under AB PMJAY will also be covered under this.
Government health insurance for senior citizens is also for private insurance holders
Those beneficiaries who are already covered under private health insurance coverage can exit to enroll under AB PMJAY. Beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme and Employees’ State Insurance scheme are also eligible for benefits under AB PMJAY.
This would be very easily accessible, as the hospitals already empaneled under the Ayushman Bharat scheme would automatically become a part of it. Most states in India are already participating in the Ayushman Bharat scheme, barring West Bengal and Delhi.
Therefore, free health insurance for senior citizens is one of those revolutionary steps that would cover health security during elderly years in India, being like an umbrella for the government to cushion the cost of healthcare for its elderly.
It therefore emerges as an even bolder health plan for the needs arising in the growing population of the Indian people.