Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) health cover for all citizens aged 70 years and above on Tuesday, October 29, Ayurveda Day.

Once they get a new e-KYC card, those already enrolled under the Yojana will get additional free processing of up to ₹5 lakh in any hospital registered under the AB-PMJAY scheme. Seniors do not need to share this recharge with other members of their family.

All citizens aged 70 and over, identified by their Aadhaar cardwill be eligible for health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), irrespective of their income status.

What you need to know about the AB-PMJAY package

1. According to news agency PTI, the scheme is expected to benefit around six crore individuals and around 4.5 crore households.

2. To access health coverage, individuals must register on the PMJAY portal or on the Ayushman app. Those who have an Ayushman card need to reapply on the portal or app and complete their eKYC for a new card.

3. The program is currently being implemented in 33 States and Union Territories, except Delhi, Odisha and West Bengal.

4. The PMJAY scheme has facilitated 7.37 crore hospital admissions, of which 49 per cent of the beneficiaries are women. The public received over Rs1 lakh crore in benefits under this scheme, ANI reported, citing the health ministry.

5. Elderly persons benefiting from private health insurance or affiliated to the public employees’ insurance scheme will also be entitled to benefits from this scheme.

6. People aged 70 years and above who are using other government health insurance schemes, such as Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and Force Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), cannot use both schemes. . They have to choose between their current project and that of Ayushman Bharat.

7. According to the Ministry of Health, the AB PM-JAY program covers 10.74 million poor and vulnerable families, representing the poorest 40 percent of India’s population.

8. As of September 1, 2024, 29,648 hospitals, including 12,696 private establishments, have been entrusted to provide care under the PMJAY scheme.

Furthermore, PM Modi will unveil several other health initiatives on Tuesday, including the U-WIN portal, which is similar to India’s COVID-19 vaccine management system, and will also inaugurate ICU facilities at AIIMS Bhubaneshwar, Kalyani and a super specialty in States of Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, ANI reported.