TAG: GS-3: ECONOMY
CONTEXT: Recently,the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister approved health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), irrespective of their income.
EXPLANATION:
About the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) Overview:
- World’s Largest Publicly Funded Health Scheme: Provides ₹5 lakh health cover per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 55 crore individuals across 12.34 crore families.
- Achievements: The scheme has covered 7.37 crore hospital admissions, with 49% being women beneficiaries, and has delivered benefits worth over ₹1 lakh crore.
- Expansion Announced by PM: The expansion of AB PM-JAY to cover senior citizens aged 70 and above was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2024.
Key points:
- Number of Beneficiaries: Approximately 4.5 crore families, covering 6 crore senior citizens, will benefit from this scheme with ₹5 lakh free health insurance cover on a family basis.
- Distinct Card Issuance: Eligible senior citizens aged 70 years and above will receive a distinct card under AB PM-JAY for accessing benefits.
- Top-Up Coverage for Existing Families: Senior citizens aged 70 and above from families already covered under AB PM-JAY will receive an additional top-up health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per year exclusively for themselves, separate from the family’s coverage.
- Health Cover for Others: Senior citizens aged 70 and above who are not part of families already covered under AB PM-JAY will receive a health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per year on a family basis.
- Senior Citizens Covered Under Other Schemes: Senior citizens aged 70 and above who are covered under public health schemes such as CGHS, ECHS, or CAPF can choose either their existing scheme or AB PM-JAY. Those with private health insurance or under the Employees’ State Insurance scheme can still avail of AB PM-JAY benefits.
Continuous Expansion of the Scheme:
- Initial Coverage: Originally covered 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families, representing the bottom 40% of India’s population.
- Beneficiary Base Expansion: In January 2022, the government revised the coverage to 12 crore families, considering the decadal population growth.
- Coverage for ASHAs/AWWs: The scheme was further expanded to cover 37 lakh ASHAs, AWWs, and their families.
Current Expansion to Senior Citizens: The scheme now extends free healthcare coverage of ₹5 lakh per year to all citizens aged 70 years and above across India.
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