Elderly Gain Access to Health Insurance Under Expanded AB-PMJAY Scheme

New Delhi, November 8, 2023 - In a significant move to enhance healthcare accessibility, over 216,000 senior citizens above the age of 70 have received health insurance cards under the expanded version of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), as per the latest official data released by the National Health Authority.

The scheme, initially launched in 2018 as the world's largest government-funded health insurance program, saw an extension announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 29. This expansion removes the income criteria, allowing all citizens aged 70 and above to avail of a Rs 5 lakh health cover annually, shared within the family.

Kerala leads in the number of new beneficiaries, issuing nearly 89,800 cards, reflecting the state's aging demographic, expected to see 20.9% of its population aged over 60 by 2031. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh follow, with over 53,000 and 47,000 cards issued respectively.

Despite the enthusiasm in some states, the rollout has been slower in others like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Notably, states like Delhi and West Bengal, ruled by AAP and TMC respectively, have opted out of the scheme, with the Prime Minister expressing his regret over the exclusion of their elderly citizens.

However, Punjab, also under AAP rule, has actively implemented the expansion, issuing over 5,600 new cards in the past week, positioning itself among the top ten states in terms of new registrations.

The initiative aims to benefit approximately 4.5 crore families with 6 crore senior citizens. Those already covered under the original scheme based on economic criteria are eligible for an exclusive top-up cover of Rs 5 lakh but need to re-register.

The AB-PMJAY has already facilitated over 6.86 crore hospital admissions since its inception, marking a significant milestone in providing healthcare to the economically weaker sections of the population.

In states like Jharkhand and Maharashtra, where assembly elections are imminent, the implementation of the expanded scheme has been delayed due to the Model Code of Conduct. Officials in these states are in the process of analyzing the financial implications and planning the rollout post-election.

Uttar Pradesh, despite the delay in full implementation due to by-elections in ten districts, has seen high demand with residents already claiming benefits. The state plans to cover new beneficiaries with existing funds and will seek additional funding through a supplementary budget.

In regions like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, the scheme is still gaining momentum with officials planning extensive publicity and hospital readiness campaigns post-budget approval.

This expansion of AB-PMJAY underscores the government's commitment to ensuring universal health coverage, particularly for the vulnerable elderly population, across the nation.