New Delhi, Nov 12: In just eleven days since the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) to include individuals aged 70 and above, the scheme has experienced a remarkable surge in enrollments among elderly beneficiaries. Data from the National Health Authority reveals that nearly 6.5 lakh senior citizens have registered and received Ayushman cards during this short period.
Kerala has emerged as the leading state in terms of new enrollments of elderly beneficiaries, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Haryana.
The PMJAY scheme offers free medical treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually, and with the recent expansion, senior citizens aged 70 and above are now eligible for health insurance coverage. This move, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sparked considerable interest, with over 6 lakh new senior beneficiaries joining within days of the announcement.
The primary objective of the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY is to enhance healthcare access for economically disadvantaged families by providing comprehensive health insurance. The scheme covers a wide range of medical services, including cashless treatment for medicines, consultations, surgeries, ICU care, and other essential healthcare expenses.
Earlier, on September 11, the Union Cabinet approved the extension of health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income, under this flagship initiative.
