Cabinet Approves ₹5 Lakh Health Insurance for Senior Citizens Aged 70

Tags: Government Schemes

The Cabinet has approved a new health insurance scheme for senior citizens aged 70 years and above under the Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

An Overview of the News

• The scheme provides free treatment coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year

• The scheme will benefit approximately 4.5 crore families and 6 crore senior citizens across the country.

• Senior citizens already covered under AB PM-JAY will receive an additional top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year.

• Those not covered by AB PM-JAY will receive a cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year on a family basis.

Options for Existing Insured Individuals

• Senior citizens who are beneficiaries of other public health insurance schemes (e.g., Central Government Health Scheme, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) can choose to either continue with their existing scheme or switch to AB PM-JAY.

• Senior citizens with private health insurance or Employees’ State Insurance can also avail benefits under AB PM-JAY.