Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to launch a revamped Ayushman Bharat Yojana or Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), covering seniors and super seniors, before Diwali. According to the Hindustan Times, it may happen on October 29, 2024. Last month, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda indicated the updated scheme will be launched in October.

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Ayushman Bharat Yojana:

Ayushman Bharat Yojana, launched in 2018, was initially available only for the economically weaker section of society. However, on September 11, 2024, in a significant move, the Union Cabinet extended the scheme to all senior citizens (70 years and above), irrespective of their income group. People will have the choice to get Ayushman coverage or take the cover separately from other insurers.

The revamped Ayushman scheme will likely benefit 6 crore seniors and 12.3 crore families.

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What Does Ayushman Bharat Yojana Offer?

The Ayushman scheme provides cashless health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh on hospitalisation in empanelled government or private hospitals. The scheme covers 3-day pre and 15-day post-hospitalisation costs, including expenses on intensive and non-intensive care, accommodation, diagnostics, medicines, and follow-up care.

Ayushman benefits are also extended to ex-servicemen and other government employees already subscribed to government-run health schemes, like the central government health scheme (CGHS) or the state government health scheme (SGHS). But they can opt for only one.

Seniors less than 70 years who are from the economically weaker section will get a Rs 5 lakh coverage under the family plan. However, those aged 70 and above will get an additional Rs 5 lakh exclusively for them.

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Earlier, the government said eligible beneficiaries will be issued Ayushman Bharat cards to avail of the benefits. Under the scheme, the central government contributes 60 per cent to the scheme, and states contribute the rest. All states, except Delhi and West Bengal, have rolled out this scheme. As of September 1, 2024, there were 29,648 hospitals empanelled under the scheme, of which, 12,696 were private hospitals.