Ayushman Bharat Health Cover for All Citizens Aged 70+ Likely to Launch on October 29
The central government is expected to roll out free health coverage for all citizens aged 70 years and above under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). According to official sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to launch the expanded scheme on October 29.
This new move will benefit nearly 6 crore senior citizens across 4.5 crore households, regardless of their income level.
Key Highlights
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Free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year at any empanelled hospital.
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Available to every Indian citizen aged 70 or above, including those from poor, middle-class, or wealthy families.
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Beneficiaries will need to register through the PMJAY portal or Ayushman app.
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Even those already having an Ayushman card will need to reapply and complete eKYC.
Extra Benefits for Existing Ayushman Families
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Senior citizens (70+) in families already covered by AB-PMJAY will receive an additional top-up of ₹5 lakh per year — meant only for them.
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Other individuals aged 70+ will receive ₹5 lakh coverage on a family basis.
Who Is Eligible?
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Any person aged 70 or above, verified via their Aadhaar card.
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Those already covered by private health insurance or ESI (Employees’ State Insurance) are still eligible.
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However, people currently covered under CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF must choose between their existing plan or AB-PMJAY.
Hospital Network
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As of September 1, 2024, there are 29,648 empanelled hospitals, including 12,696 private hospitals.
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The scheme is operational in 33 states and Union Territories, excluding Delhi, Odisha, and West Bengal.
What Else Is Launching?
Along with the health scheme, the Prime Minister is expected to launch the U-WIN portal, a digital platform to track:
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Routine vaccinations for pregnant women and children up to 17 years of age.
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U-WIN works similarly to the Co-WIN portal used during COVID-19, ensuring a permanent digital vaccination record under the Universal Immunization Programme.
Ayushman Bharat’s Impact So Far
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7.37 crore hospital admissions have been covered under the scheme.
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Over ₹1 lakh crore worth of medical expenses saved.
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49% of all beneficiaries are women.
Initially, Ayushman Bharat covered 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families (bottom 40% of India’s population). In January 2022, the beneficiary base was increased to 12 crore families, and later expanded to include 37 lakh ASHAs, Anganwadi workers (AWWs), and helpers (AWHs).
Final Words
With this new expansion, Ayushman Bharat will bring free and quality healthcare to all senior citizens aged 70 and above in India. The initiative ensures cashless treatment, access to thousands of hospitals, and equal health rights for the elderly — across income levels.
For more government updates and health schemes, visit:
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