Modi govt extends free Ayushman Bharat health coverage to all citizens above 70 years

In a major boost to elderly healthcare in India, the Union Cabinet has approved a key reform in the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. Moving forward, every citizen aged 70 and above will be eligible for free health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per year, irrespective of their income level or socio-economic background.

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This decision, announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, marks a significant shift in the scheme’s coverage model. Until now, Ayushman Bharat, officially known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) targeted low-income households. However, with this reform, age will now be the sole eligibility criteria for citizens aged 70 and above.

As part of the new rollout, the government will issue a special identification card to senior citizens. Using this card, beneficiaries can access cashless treatment in empanelled hospitals across the country. The health package will include over 1,900 medical procedures, covering costs like doctor consultations, surgeries, medicines, diagnostics, and pre- and post-hospitalization care.

Importantly, there will be no waiting period, beneficiaries can start availing services from the day of registration. The move is seen as a step toward universal healthcare for India’s ageing population, ensuring that financial constraints do not come in the way of critical treatment for senior citizens.

Currently, more than 4.5 crore families are benefiting from Ayushman Bharat. With this expansion, the government aims to increase accessibility and reduce the healthcare burden on elderly citizens, many of whom live without formal retirement support or insurance.