The Modi government has announced to provide free treatment to all senior citizens above 70 years of age under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Know about this scheme and how you can avail the benefits.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has launched a significant initiative for the elderly. Now, people over 70 will no longer need to worry about the cost of their medical treatment.
The central government has approved health coverage under the national insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat for all people above 70 years of age. This decision was taken in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Narendra Modi. 4.5 crore families, including six crore elderly, will benefit from Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). With this, the elderly of a family will get the facility of free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh in a year.
AB PM-JAY
The central government announced that with this approval, all senior citizens aged 70 and older, regardless of their socio-economic status, will be eligible for benefits under AB PM-JAY. A new card will be issued to these eligible seniors as part of the program.
Senior citizens, aged 70 years or above, who are already part of families receiving benefits covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year.
Other schemes
Senior citizens above 70 years of age who are already availing benefits of other public health insurance schemes like Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) can either opt for their existing scheme or AB PMJAY. Elderly people who are under private health insurance policies or Employees' State Insurance Scheme will be able to take advantage of AB PM-JAY.
AB PM-JAY provides health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per year to 55 crore individuals across 12.34 crore families. To date, the scheme has delivered benefits exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore to the public.
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