New Delhi, November 13, 2024: Over five lakh senior citizens aged 70 and above have enrolled for Ayushman cards following the recent expansion of the AB-PMJAY health assurance scheme, as per reports.
The Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card, which offers free health coverage to all elderly above 70 regardless of income, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi two weeks ago after its approval by the Union Cabinet in September. This card supplements the existing AB PM-JAY scheme, providing a separate health cover of ₹5 lakh per year for the elderly.
According to data from the National Health Authority, 5,12,598 applications for enrollment have been received under the scheme, with 4,64,541 approved and 47,916 pending. Only 141 applications were rejected.
Madhya Pradesh led in enrollment numbers with 1.66 lakh applications, followed by Kerala (1.28 lakh), Uttar Pradesh (69,044), and Gujarat (25,491).
“We have shared IEC (information, education, communication) materials with all states, and we expect more senior citizens to join as awareness increases,” an official stated.
This initiative aims to benefit nearly 6 crore individuals across 4.5 crore families and is timely as India’s elderly population is projected to double by 2050, driving up the need for geriatric care.
Eligible beneficiaries can apply for the Ayushman Bharat Senior Citizen Scheme at www.beneficiary.nha.gov.in or via the Ayushman app.
Launched in 2018, AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, covering 55 crore people in 12.34 crore poor and vulnerable families.