New Delhi: On the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and the 9th Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched, inaugurated, and laid the foundation stone for multiple health sector projects worth approximately ₹12,850 crore at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi.

As a significant addition to the flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), the Prime Minister also announced an expansion of health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above. This initiative will provide health coverage to senior citizens regardless of their income.

To access health coverage, individuals need to register on the PMJAY portal or the Ayushman app or website https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/. Those who already possess an Ayushman card must reapply on the portal or app and complete their eKYC to obtain a new card.

The scheme is presently in operation across 33 states and union territories, with the exception of Delhi, Odisha, and West Bengal.

The Union Cabinet approved this health coverage last month. This initiative aims to benefit approximately 4.5 crore families, encompassing six crore senior citizens, by providing ₹5 lakh in free health insurance coverage on a family basis.

With this approval, all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their socio-economic status, will be eligible to avail themselves of the benefits of AB PM-JAY.

Eligible senior citizens will be issued a new, distinct card under AB PM-JAY. Those aged 70 and above belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY will receive an additional top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year for themselves, which they will not have to share with other family members below the age of 70. All other senior citizens aged 70 and above will receive coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year on a family basis.

Senior citizens in this age group who are already receiving benefits from other public health insurance schemes, such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), and Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), may choose to continue with their existing scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY. It has been clarified that senior citizens aged 70 and above who have private health insurance policies or are covered under the Employees’ State Insurance scheme will also be eligible to avail themselves of benefits under AB PM-JAY. DeshGujarat