One of the most essential goals throughout our lives is maintaining our health in the best possible ways. With the launch of Ayushman Bharat PMJAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana), achieving this goal has become possible. By launching this scheme, the Government of India aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), ensuring that everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, receives the best healthcare services anytime and anywhere.

Through this blog, we’ll try to understand how this scheme benefits senior citizens aged 70 and above in terms of prevention, health promotion, and treatment at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Along with it, we’ll also understand what the scheme is essentially about and what are its key features that will make our healthcare system stronger and more accessible.

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What is Ayushman Bharat?

Launched as a part of National Health Policy 2017, Ayushman Bharat is a flagship scheme introduced by the Government of India with the primary aim to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It ensures moving away from fragmented health services and focuses on providing comprehensive, need-based healthcare to everyone, irrespective of their socio-economic status. With Ayushman Bharat, the healthcare system is improved to provide prevention, health promotion, and treatment at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.

One of the key components of Ayushman Bharat is PMJAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana). Launched in September 2018 by Prime Minister Narender Modi, PMJAY is the world’s largest healthcare insurance scheme fully funded by the Government of India. It provides health coverage of ₹5 lakhs per family per year for hospital treatments (secondary and tertiary care) to over 12 crore poor and vulnerable families—around 55 crore people, which makes up the bottom 40% of India’s population.

Key Features of Ayushman Bharat Scheme for All

Cashless Treatment

Beneficiaries can receive medical care at empanelled hospitals without paying upfront, removing the need for out-of-pocket expenses and making healthcare more affordable for low-income families.

Comprehensive Coverage

Ayushman Bharat Yojana offers wide-ranging coverage, including hospitalization, pre- and post-hospitalization costs, and various medical treatments. Beneficiaries can get treated for serious conditions like cancer, heart disease, and kidney issues. It covers secondary and tertiary care, allowing patients to receive medical treatment without worrying about the cost.

Emphasis on Preventive Healthcare

Ayushman Bharat Yojana also focuses on preventive care, offering regular health check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations. By promoting early detection and prevention, the program aims to reduce the number of illnesses and improve overall health in the community.

Financial Protection

With coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year, the scheme provides crucial financial protection. It acts as a safety net for low-income families, helping them avoid falling into debt during medical emergencies.

Large Network of Empanelled Hospitals

The scheme includes a vast network of empanelled hospitals across India, both public and private. This ensures that beneficiaries can access quality healthcare services wherever they are, with hospitals equipped to provide necessary treatments.

Ayushman Bharat Scheme for Senior Citizens

Under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY, the Pradhan Mantri Senior Citizen health scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narender Modi on September 11, 2024. This health scheme aims to provide health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income or socio-economic status. It benefits around 4.5 crore families and 6 crore senior citizens with 5 lakh free health insurance cover for each family. These benefits can be accessed by senior citizens from all over India, irrespective of their income and socio-economic status.

For those already covered under PMJAY:

Senior citizens aged 70 and above, who are already part of families under PMJAY, will receive an additional ₹5 lakh per year specifically for themselves. This coverage is separate from that shared with younger family members.

For those with other public health insurance schemes:

Seniors aged 70 and above currently benefiting from public health schemes like CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF can choose to continue their existing plan or switch to AB PM-JAY.

For private health insurance holders

Senior citizens aged 70 and above with private health insurance can also avail the benefits of AB PM-JAY, as clarified by Pankaj Mathpal, MD & CEO of Optima Money Managers.

Eligibility of Ayushman Bharat Yojana for Senior Citizens

Listed below are a few factors determining the eligibility of AB-PMJAY for senior citizens:

Age Requirement: Ayushman card for senior citizens is available for citizens aged 70 and above are eligible.
Income: No income restrictions; benefits apply to all seniors regardless of their financial status.
Existing Coverage: Seniors already covered under other public health schemes (like CGHS, ECHS, or CAPF) can choose to switch to PMJAY or retain their current coverage.
Private Insurance: Senior citizens with private health insurance policies can also avail of benefits under PMJAY.

How to Apply for Ayushman Card for Senior Citizen?

Step 1: Visit https://ayushmanup.in/. Scroll down to the ‘Register Yourself on SETU’ option under quick links.
Step 2: The link will take you to NHA Setu portal ie. https://setu.pmjay.gov.in/setu/
Step 3: Click on the ‘Register’ button. Complete the registration form by filling in all required fields and submit.
Step 4: After submitting, finish the KYC process and wait for approval from the authority.
Step 5: Once approved, return to the portal and click ‘Download Ayushman Card’. Select your state, enter your Aadhar number, verify through OTP, and click on the download button.

Note: Some of the recent key updates in Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PMJAY) specifically for senior citizens are listed below:

New Card: Senior citizens aged 70 and above will receive a special card under the AB PM-JAY scheme.
Top-Up Coverage: Those already part of an AB PM-JAY family will get an additional ₹5 lakh top-up just for senior members (age 70+), separate from the family’s general coverage.
Family Coverage: If senior citizens aren’t already covered by AB PM-JAY, they will still get ₹5 lakh per family per year.
Choice of Schemes: Seniors who are part of other government health schemes like CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF can either stay with their current plan or switch to AB PM-JAY.
Private Insurance Eligibility: Senior citizens who have private health insurance or are covered under Employees’ State Insurance can also benefit from AB PM-JAY.

Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana for Senior Citizens

Ayushman Bharat for senior citizens aims to provide free health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per family to approximately 4.5 crore families, benefiting around 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 and above.
All senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their socio-economic status, are eligible for benefits under AB PM-JAY. They will receive a unique card.
Seniors already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year, exclusively for themselves. Other seniors aged 70 and above will get up to ₹5 lakh per family annually.
It includes costs for pre-hospitalization checkups, tests, and follow-up care after discharge.
Post-hospitalisation such as follow-up care for up to 15 days after discharge.
Seniors can either continue with their existing public health insurance (like CGHS) or switch to AB PM-JAY.