Over 5 lakh elderly citizens above 70 years have enrolled for Ayushman cards, marking a significant milestone in India's efforts to provide affordable healthcare to its senior citizens. This enrollment drive is part of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), a flagship scheme launched by the Government of India to provide health insurance coverage to vulnerable families.

Key Highlights of the Enrollment Drive:

• Highest Enrollment from MP and Kerala: Madhya Pradesh and Kerala have recorded the highest number of enrollments, with over 1.5 lakh and 1.2 lakh senior citizens signing up for the scheme, respectively.

• Benefits for Senior Citizens: The Ayushman card provides senior citizens with a health insurance cover of up to Rs. 5 lakh per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.

• Empaneled Hospitals: The scheme has empaneled over 20,000 hospitals across the country, including private and public hospitals, to provide cashless treatment to beneficiaries.

This additionally offers numerous benefits to its beneficiaries. One of the key advantages is its Comprehensive Coverage, which includes hospitalization expenses, diagnostic tests, and medications, ensuring that individuals receive complete care without having to worry about financial constraints

Eligibility Criteria:

• Rural Beneficiaries: Families living in rural areas with at least one of the six deprivation criteria, including households with no adult member, disabled members, and landless households.

• Urban Beneficiaries: Families with members working in occupations such as ragpickers, domestic workers, street vendors, and construction workers.

Reference:

1. National Health Authority (Retrieved From: https://nha.gov.in/img/resources/English_FAQs_related_to_the_benefits_for_senior_citizens.pdf)

(Input From Various Sources)

(Rehash/Neha Kamble/MSM)