New Delhi: In a major boost for the elderly, the Central government has decided to provide health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
The health coverage will be extended to all 70-year-olds, irrespective of their income, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Wednesday. The decision will benefit 4.5 crore families, including 6 crore senior citizens, across India.
The initial outlay of the new scheme will be Rs 3,437 crore. “This is a demand-based scheme, as the demand goes up, the coverage will also be increased,” Vaishnav said.
Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest insurance scheme, currently provides an annual Rs 5 lakh coverage to the poorest 40 per cent of population.