The Ayushman Bharat Yojana scheme is a government-run health insurance plan that provides coverage up to Rs 5 lakh for the economically weaker section of society.

Budget 2024-25 presented on July 23, 2024 has left the senior citizens highly disappointed as the government neither restored the railway concession withdrawn during the Covid-19 Pandemic nor extend the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY scheme to all seniors above the age group of 70 years irrespective of their economic criteria, despite an increase in the Ayush Ministry budget

The BJP party had pledged in its poll manifesto to extend the Ayushman Bharat Yojana coverage to seniors aged 70 and above so that more people could participate in the scheme.

In the interim Budget 2024, the government increased the allocation for the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to Rs 7,200 crore.

President Droupadi Murmu told Parliament in a speech that all senior citizens over 70 years of age will be eligible for coverage and free medical care under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana

The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is a healthcare facility for central government employees working or retired.

The government has issued 93.80 million Ayushman Cards in 2023 and a total of 284.50 million cards since the launch of PM-JAY in 2018

Senior citizens can opt for government-backed health insurance plans if they cannot afford products provided by private insurance companies.