Senior Citizens to Apply for Ayushman Yojana via New App; Campaign Launch Imminent
Senior citizens eligible for the Ayushman Bharat health scheme will soon be able to apply for the Ayushman Yojana through a new app. This initiative, which aims to streamline the application process, will be supported by a campaign set to launch shortly. The app is expected to be available in a month, and applications will be processed using Aadhar card verification.
Currently, the Ayushman Yojana is not operational in Delhi, Odisha, and West Bengal due to these state governments' lack of implementation of the scheme. An official order regarding the app is anticipated within the next week.
In a significant development, the Union Cabinet has approved expanded health coverage for senior citizens aged 70 and above under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This initiative will benefit 4.5 crore families, covering approximately 6 crore senior citizens with an annual health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh. Eligible seniors will receive a new, distinctive card under the scheme.
The government also announced that seniors aged 70 and above, already covered under AB PM-JAY, will receive an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 75 lakh per year. Those already benefiting from other public health insurance schemes can choose to continue with their current scheme or switch to AB PM-JAY.
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) aims to provide up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization, targeting approximately 55 crore beneficiaries and 12.34 crore families from the bottom 40% of India's population.