New Delhi: Ensuring health care to all senior citizens, the Union Cabinet has approved health coverage of ₹5 lakh for those aged 70 and above regardless of their income, The Indian Express reported.
The expansion of the scheme under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) will benefit an additional 6 crore people in this age group from 4.5 crore families.
It is reported that the eligible beneficiaries will be issued a new card under PM-JAY.
The helping hand to the senior citizens comes at a time when cost of medical care including drugs, hospital stay and other allied expenses are rapidly rising, giving anxieties to ageing populations.
Senior citizens aged 70 and above, belonging to families already covered under the scheme, will benefit an additional top-up cover up to Rs 5 lakh annually, according to the report.
Senior citizens benefiting from public health insurance schemes including Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) can either continue these schemes or opt for AB PM-JAY.
Those under the private health insurance policies or Employees’ State Insurance Scheme also can avail benefits.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that if two senior citizens aged 70 and above are in a family, the Rs 5 lakh coverage will be shared between them.
‘This is a big step towards ensuring the social security of senior citizens, especially as India transitions to nuclear families,’ he said.
Rolling out the scheme will cost the government an initial outlay of Rs 3,437 crore.
It is reported citing sources while most states will bear 40 per cent of the bill, Centre will take care of 90 per cent of the cost in hilly regions and the Northeast.