Introduction
The government of India has launched the Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Card, a major program under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) that aims to provide full healthcare coverage to older individuals aged 70 and up.
This policy provides annual health coverage of ₹5 lakh every senior adult, regardless of socio-economic condition, ensuring access to quality healthcare for the aged population.
Senior citizen registering for Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Card using Ayushman App on mobile phone”
Key Features and Benefits
1. Extensive coverage
Annual Health Coverage: ₹5 lakh for senior citizens.
include pre-existing conditions: There is no waiting time, and coverage for all pre-existing conditions begins on day one.
Covers approximately 1,961 medical treatments across 27 categories, including cancer treatment, dialysis, joint replacements, stroke management, and more.
2. Eligibility Criteria.
Age requirement: 70 years or older.
Documentation: Aadhaar cards are required for registration.
Income Status: regardless of income or economic background.
3. Registration Process
Online Enrollment: Senior citizens can download the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) mobile app or visit the official website beneficiary.nha.gov.in for self-registration.
Assisted Registration: Enrollment can also be done at empanelled hospitals or through Common Service Centres (CSCs).
Verification: Completion of e-KYC is required, which can be facilitated through Aadhaar-based authentication
4. Access to healthcare services.
Cashless treatment is available in more than 30,000 public and private institutions across India.
Top-Up Coverage: Senior citizens with PM-JAY coverage receive an additional ₹5 lakh for healthcare needs.
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Impact and Reach
Enrollment Milestone: As of December 2024, over 25 lakh senior citizens have enrolled in the scheme.
Treatment Availment: Beneficiaries have availed treatments worth over ₹40 crore, including procedures like coronary angioplasty, hip replacements, cataract surgeries, and dialysis.
Geographical Outreach: The scheme has been implemented nationwide, with special drives in various states to ensure maximum coverage
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Senior citizen registering for Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Card using Ayushman App on mobile phone”
Limitations and Considerations
Coverage Limitations: The ₹5 lakh cover per senior citizen may not be sufficient for long-term or costly treatments.
Scheme Selection: Senior persons who are currently enrolled in other government health programs such as CGHS, ECHS, or CAPF must choose between their existing coverage and the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Family Floater Concept: The ₹5 lakh cover is divided among all eligible family members.
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Senior citizen registering for Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Card using Ayushman App on mobile phone”