“Uttar Pradesh’s senior citizens aged 70 and above now enjoy free health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh under the expanded Ayushman Bharat scheme. The initiative, launched in September 2024, provides cashless treatment for over 2,000 medical procedures, ensuring financial relief and access to quality healthcare for millions of elderly residents.”
Uttar Pradesh Bolsters Healthcare for Seniors with Ayushman Bharat
In a transformative move for elderly healthcare, Uttar Pradesh has embraced the recent expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), announced by the Union Cabinet on September 11, 2024. This landmark decision extends free health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their socio-economic status. The initiative is set to benefit approximately 4.5 crore families nationwide, including millions in Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s most populous states.
Under the scheme, eligible seniors in Uttar Pradesh receive the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, a dedicated card that grants access to cashless treatment at empanelled public and private hospitals across the country. This expansion ensures that elderly individuals can avail themselves of secondary and tertiary care hospitalization for around 2,000 medical procedures, including critical treatments like coronary angioplasty, hip replacement, cataract surgery, and hemodialysis. Notably, all pre-existing conditions are covered from day one, eliminating waiting periods that often burden senior citizens.
For seniors already enrolled in AB PM-JAY as part of their families, the scheme provides an additional top-up cover of ₹5 lakh exclusively for them, separate from the family’s shared coverage. This ensures that elderly individuals have dedicated financial protection for their medical needs without competing with younger family members for the same insurance pool. Those covered under other schemes, such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or private insurance, can opt for AB PM-JAY if they prefer its benefits.
Since the launch of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card on October 29, 2024, Uttar Pradesh has seen significant uptake. Over 22,000 senior citizens nationwide have already availed treatments worth more than ₹40 crore, with Uttar Pradesh contributing substantially due to its large elderly population. The state’s robust network of empanelled hospitals, including major facilities in cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, and Varanasi, ensures accessibility for rural and urban seniors alike.
The scheme also offers comprehensive coverage, including pre-hospitalization expenses for up to three days and post-hospitalization costs for up to 15 days, covering diagnostics, medicines, and consultations. Ayurvedic treatments are reimbursable if conducted at government-recognized institutes, aligning with Uttar Pradesh’s rich tradition of alternative medicine. Additionally, the portability of benefits allows seniors to seek treatment anywhere in India, a boon for those who travel or live with family in other states.
Uttar Pradesh’s implementation of AB PM-JAY reflects the state’s commitment to addressing the healthcare challenges faced by its aging population. With projections indicating that India’s elderly population will reach 158.7 million by 2025, schemes like this are critical in reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses, which push nearly 6 crore Indians into poverty annually. The initiative also aligns with tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, allowing seniors or their families to claim deductions on premiums paid for health insurance.
However, challenges remain. Awareness campaigns are crucial to ensure that all eligible seniors in Uttar Pradesh, especially in rural areas, register for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card. The state government is leveraging digital platforms and local health workers to streamline enrollment, requiring only basic identity proofs like Aadhaar or voter ID. Despite the scheme’s inclusivity, states like Delhi and West Bengal have not implemented AB PM-JAY, leaving their seniors without these benefits, a point of contention highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the launch.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from government press releases, news reports, and official websites like pib.gov.in and mohfw.gov.in. Readers are advised to verify eligibility and enrollment details through official channels like nha.gov.in. For personalized advice, consult a certified insurance advisor. The publisher is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the information provided.