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Source: This post on Expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has been created based on the article “Union Cabinet approves health cover for all aged 70 and above”, published in The Hindu on 11th Sep 2024.
Why in news?
The Union Cabinet recently approved a significant expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), providing health insurance coverage for senior citizens aged 70 and above irrespective of their income or socio-economic status.
Key Highlights
1. Eligibility: All individuals aged 70 and above will be eligible for ₹5 lakh health insurance coverage under AB PM-JAY.
2. Coverage: The scheme benefits are extended to around 4.5 crore families, including 6 crore senior citizens.
3. Eligible senior citizens will receive a distinct new card under the AB PM-JAY to access healthcare services.
4. Senior citizens who are already part of families covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover of ₹5 lakh per year, which is exclusively for their use.
Options for Those Covered by Other Schemes
1. Senior citizens benefiting from schemes like CGHS, ECHS, and Ayushman CAPF can choose to continue with their current coverage or opt for AB PM-JAY.
2. Senior citizens under private health insurance or the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme are also eligible to avail the benefits under AB PM-JAY.
About Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)
1. Launched in: Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is a flagship scheme launched in 2018. It aimed at providing affordable and accessible healthcare to millions of vulnerable families across the country.
2. Aim of the Scheme: The primary goal of AB PM-JAY is to offer health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
3. Coverage: The scheme currently covers 55 crore individuals from 12.34 crore families across India.
4. Key Features
1. Universal Health Coverage: AB PM-JAY strives to achieve universal health coverage, ensuring that no citizen is deprived of essential healthcare services, especially those from poor and marginalized sections of society.
2. Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs): As part of the initiative, 1,50,000 Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) are being established across India to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services, focusing on preventive, promotive, and curative care.
3. Expanded Coverage for Senior Citizens: In a recent update, the scheme has been expanded to include senior citizens aged 70 and above, offering them free healthcare treatment up to ₹5 lakhs per year, irrespective of their income level or socio-economic background.
4. Financial Protection: AB PM-JAY provides significant financial protection, covering a wide range of medical treatments at both secondary and tertiary levels reducing the out-of-pocket expenses for millions of families.
Read more: Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
UPSC Syllabus: Indian economy
