Union Cabinet Expands Ayushman Bharat Scheme

On 11th September, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved an expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to provide health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of income.

Key Points

Current Scheme and Expansion Details: AB PM-JAY previously offered Rs 5 lakh shared annual health coverage to the bottom 40% of economically weaker families.
With this expansion, the same Rs 5 lakh coverage will now be extended to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above.
Impact of the Expansion: The government expects 6 crore people in this age group, from 4.5 crore families, to benefit.
Eligible beneficiaries will receive a new health card under the scheme, offering full access to healthcare services.
Additional Coverage for Seniors in Existing Families: Senior citizens aged 70+ already covered under AB PM-JAY will receive an additional top-up of Rs 5 lakh annually for themselves.
Options for Senior Citizens Under Other Schemes: Seniors who are already availing benefits under schemes like the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) can either continue with their existing plans or opt for coverage under AB PM-JAY.
Budget and Funding: The initial outlay for the expansion will be Rs 3,437 crore, with a provision for increasing the budget based on demand.
The scheme will be jointly funded by the central government and states, with the Centre covering up to 90% of the costs for northeastern and hilly states.