The central government has expanded the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY) to provide health coverage to people aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income level.
An additional 60m people aged at least 70, from 45m families, are expected to benefit from this move, according to a government statement.
The government says that senior citizens aged 70 and above, and belonging to families already covered under AB PMJAY, will get an additional top-up cover of up to INR500,000 ($6,000) a year.
Senior citizens aged 70 years and above, who are under private health insurance policies or Employees’ State Insurance Scheme, will be eligible for the benefits offered by the new plan.
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw called the move a step towards creating an inclusive healthcare system.
AB PMJAY is a government-backed medical insurance scheme. Currently, the scheme is income-based and provides INR500,000 shared annual coverage to all members of eligible families — estimated to comprise the bottom 40% of the population economically.