The Union Cabinet has approved the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to provide health insurance coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income level. This policy shift aims to broaden access to healthcare for India's elderly population, many of whom face chronic health issues.
Following the Cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vishnaw highlighted the initiative's impact. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had committed that all senior citizens above the age of 70 years will be covered under Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana. Many families already covered under the scheme have senior members, and in such cases, top-up coverage of Rs 5 lakh will be provided," he stated.
As explained by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the health coverage will be distributed among the eligible family members. “If there are two senior citizens (70 years+) in a family, then the Rs 5 lakh coverage will be shared between them. This is a big step towards ensuring the social security of senior citizens, especially as India transitions to nuclear families,” he said.
With this approval, all senior citizens in the specified age group will be eligible for a new distinct card under the scheme, which will facilitate access to healthcare services.
Industry experts have welcomed the move. Prabhat Srivastava, Founder of Vitus Care, said, "This progressive move enhances healthcare access for the elderly and addresses a critical gap in chronic care management. With many dialysis patients being seniors, this policy will empower more people to access life-saving dialysis treatments without financial constraints," he said.
“This scheme is significant, especially for lower and middle-income groups in the country. The recent extension in coverage of senior citizens is important because there is an increasing aging population in India. This will help to preserve the dignity of the old age population in our country,” said Neeraj Mahindroo, Prof & Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, MIT-World Peace University.
Pavan Choudary, Chairman of the Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI), praised the government's decision. "The increasing healthcare and caregiving costs can make elders seem like a burden to some families, especially as more caregivers belong to the ‘sandwich generation’, responsible for both their children and aging parents. The government's decision to extend health coverage to all senior citizens above 70 is commendable," he said.
According to India Ageing Report 2023, health coverage in this age group is currently about 20 per cent. This expansion of AB PM-JAY is expected to significantly alleviate the financial strain on families caring for elderly members, while promoting better health outcomes for senior citizens across the country.
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