The Ayushman Bharat Yojana, launched by the Government of India, is a comprehensive health insurance scheme aimed at providing financial protection against high medical costs for economically vulnerable individuals and families. Here are the key points:
1. Coverage and Benefits
AB-PMJAY provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakhs per family per year.
It covers secondary and tertiary care hospitalization expenses.
The scheme is available to both rural and urban populations.
2. Eligibility Criteria
Economically Vulnerable Households: PMJAY primarily targets economically vulnerable households. Eligibility is determined based on socio-economic factors.
Age No Bar: As you mentioned, every Indian citizen aged above 70 years is now eligible for free treatment under the scheme.
3. Key Features
Cashless Hospitalization: Beneficiaries can avail of cashless treatment at empaneled hospitals.
Large-Scale Coverage: AB-PMJAY aims to cover 55 crore beneficiaries, making it the world’s largest publicly funded health insurance scheme.
Jan Aushadhi Kendras: The opening of 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country further enhances access to affordable medicines.
4. Hospital Empanelment
State Health Agencies (SHAs) are responsible for empaneling hospitals under AB-PMJAY.
Hospital Empanelment and Management (HEM) Guidelines ensure that quality healthcare facilities are available to beneficiaries.
Ayushman Bharat Yojana is a significant step towards ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare for all. By expanding coverage to elderly citizens, the government continues to prioritize the well-being of its people
