Great news for senior citizens in India! The Union Cabinet has announced health insurance coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme for all citizens above 70 years. This is a vital step forward that helps millions of Indians get better healthcare. You should know how to apply for an Ayushman card online to make the most of these benefits.
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The scheme benefits people living in cities and villages alike. Eligible families can now get treatment without paying cash through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). Healthcare is now available to families with lower incomes. The PMJAY website has optimized the application process. You only need simple documents like Aadhaar, income certificate, and family documents to verify your eligibility.
Delhi Government Launches Enhanced Ayushman Card Benefits
Delhi government has announced a breakthrough in the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The boosted scheme will provide health insurance coverage of ₹10 lakh per family . The central government and Delhi administration will split this amount equally, each contributing ₹5 lakh .
The scheme will benefit six lakh Delhi residents in its original phase . Essential workers identified in 2018, Anganwadi workers, and citizens above 70 years will be the main beneficiaries This new implementation replaces the previous Delhi Arogya Kosh progra.
The National Health Authority has worked closely with Delhi health officials in the last three weeks to ensure smooth implementation . Their discussions focused on identifying beneficiaries, processing claims, and setting up effective complaint resolution systems .
Delhi residents can register at Common Service Centers (CSCs) . The scheme includes both government and listed private hospitals . Beneficiaries receive an e-card that lets them access cashless treatment at participating hospitals.
Delhi becomes the 35th state/UT to adopt this healthcare initiative . This expansion builds on the central government’s October 2024 decision to cover all senior citizens aged 70 and above, whatever their socio-economic status .
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Beneficiaries can check participating hospitals on pmjay.gov.in .The National Health Authority ensures that hospitals cannot refuse treatment to eligible beneficiaries and will take action against non-compliant facilities. The NHA call center remains accessible to beneficiaries who want to file complaints .
This complete healthcare initiative wants to cut down out-of-pocket medical expenses while making quality healthcare accessible to more people in Delhi. The boosted coverage limit of ₹10 lakh per family provides stronger financial protection to beneficiaries .
Officials Streamline Ayushman Card Apply Online Process
The National Health Authority now offers a simple online process to apply for Ayushman cards. This new system helps people get their healthcare benefits naturally through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana website .
You can start by going to the PMJAY website and clicking on ‘Am I Eligible’. The system will ask you to verify your identity with your mobile number and an OTP . Once verified, you’ll need to pick PMJAY as your scheme and enter your state and district details.
The process has become much easier as you can now check your status with your Aadhaar number. The system shows the Ayushman card status for everyone in your family right away .You’ll see an “Apply Now” button in the Action column if your card status shows “Not-Generated”.
The improved system gives you family coverage of ₹5 lakhs every year . This covers 1,929 secondary and tertiary packages to give complete medical support . The coverage works on a family floater basis, which means any family member can use it without age or family size limits.
You can also apply offline by visiting nearby empaneled hospitals or talking to an Ayushman Mitra .You’ll need these documents:
• Aadhaar card (mandatory for identification)
• Proof of domicile
• Income certificate
• Photograph
• Category certificate .
The National Health Authority has set up an efficient system to handle complaints . They register, acknowledge, and track every complaint until it’s resolved. A resilient IT infrastructure managed by the National Health Authority supports this system .
New applications usually take 9-10 days to process . You can check your application status on the official portal or call the toll-free number 14555 .States can choose to run the scheme through insurance companies or trust/society modes .
Health Ministry Revises Ayushman Card Eligibility Requirements
Ayushman card :- The Ministry of Health has announced the most important changes to Ayushman card eligibility criteria that mark a historic expansion of India’s flagship health insurance program. The Union Cabinet approved these changes on September 11, 2024, and extended coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their economic status.
This expansion helps approximately 4.5 crore families and includes 6 crore senior citizens with free health insurance coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family .Senior citizens from families already covered under AB-PMJAY now receive an additional top-up cover separate from their existing family coverage .
The revised eligibility framework introduces these key provisions:
• Age verification through Aadhaar card serves as the sole criterion for senior citizens .
• No income restrictions apply if you have aged 70 and above .
• Senior citizens with existing private health insurance or ESI coverage remain eligible.
• Beneficiaries can choose between AB-PMJAY and other public health schemes like CGHS or ECHS .
Eligibility for the general population continues based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 data. The scheme covers about 10.74 crore vulnerable families identified through specific deprivation and occupational criteria .
Workers from these 11 occupational categories qualify for coverage in urban areas:
• Ragpickers and domestic workers
• Street vendors, cobblers, and hawkers
• Construction workers, plumbers, and security guards
• Sanitation workers and artisans
• Transport workers and shop assistants .
States have expanded coverage to 14.77 crore beneficiary families through their own datasets . The Ministry now allows states to identify additional beneficiaries while maintaining the scheme’s focus on poor and marginalized families .
The central government shares implementation costs with state governments . The program wants to reduce catastrophic health expenditure that affects nearly 6 crore Indians annually . Beneficiaries receive coverage for pre-hospitalization expenses up to 3 days and post-hospitalization care for 15 days .
Conclusion
Ayushman card expansion represents a major leap toward making healthcare accessible to everyone in India. Delhi families can now get coverage up to ₹10 lakh, double the previous limit. People over 70 years can join whatever their income level. Millions of people can now apply easily through the PMJAY website.
The scheme covers 1,929 medical packages in both government and private hospitals. A reliable system handles complaints quickly and helps people when they need support. The central and state governments work together to show their steadfast dedication to public healthcare.
India has made great progress in providing quality healthcare to its citizens. Higher coverage limits, easier processes, and broader eligibility rules have made Ayushman Bharat the life-blood of India’s healthcare system. Every eligible citizen should use these benefits to protect their family’s health.
