In November 2024, the Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance scheme was extended to cover senior citizens above what age?

The correct answer is 70 years.

Key Points

• In November 2024, the Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance scheme was extended to cover senior citizens above the age of 70 years.
• This expansion aims to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to senior citizens who are particularly vulnerable to health issues.
• The scheme provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization across empanelled hospitals.
• Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is managed by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• This initiative signifies the government's commitment to achieving universal health coverage and reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for elderly citizens.

Additional Information

• Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
  • AB-PMJAY is the world's largest government-funded health assurance scheme launched in September 2018.
  • It aims to provide free health insurance to economically vulnerable families, covering nearly 50 crore beneficiaries in India.
  • The scheme is designed to reduce catastrophic healthcare expenditure for low-income households.
  • It covers over 1,500 medical procedures, including surgeries, daycare treatments, and diagnostics.
  • Beneficiaries can avail of cashless treatment at empanelled public and private hospitals.
• National Health Authority (NHA)
  • The NHA is the apex body responsible for implementing AB-PMJAY and other health assurance programs in India.
  • It works to ensure efficient delivery of services through robust IT systems and monitoring mechanisms.
• Healthcare for Senior Citizens in India
  • Senior citizens often face higher healthcare costs due to chronic diseases and age-related conditions.
  • Expanding schemes like AB-PMJAY to cover older age groups ensures financial protection and access to quality healthcare.
• Key Benefits of AB-PMJAY
  • It eliminates the need for pre-condition screening, making it universally accessible to eligible families.
  • The scheme provides portability of benefits, enabling beneficiaries to seek treatment anywhere in India.