Last year, the government expanded the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to include senior citizens aged 70 or older.
Under this flagship health insurance scheme, every eligible family already gets ₹5 lakh annual coverage, and now elderly members can get an additional ₹5 lakh.
This means families with senior citizens can access up to ₹10 lakh in total health coverage each year.
How the ₹10 Lakh Cover Works
It’s important to understand that the additional ₹5 lakh is reserved exclusively for senior citizens:
₹5 lakh: For the spouse and children
₹5 lakh: For senior citizens aged 70 or older
This means if the family’s general ₹5 lakh cover is used up for other members, it cannot be used for elderly parents.
The cover is separate and dedicated for senior citizens.
The good news is that there is no limit on the number of family members in the scheme.
This is especially helpful for joint families with multiple elderly members.
Eligibility and Documents Required
Age criteria: Must be 70 years or older
Income criteria: None. Every senior citizen is eligible, regardless of pension, business, or other income
Documents: Only an Aadhaar card is needed for e-KYC and Ayushman card issuance
Special cases:
If the Aadhaar card mentions only the year of birth, the government considers January 1 of the following year as the official date of birth.
If a family has more than one senior citizen, they can be added using the ‘Add Member’ option after registering the first member.
Senior citizens will also receive a separate Ayushman card, and the treatment can begin immediately after registration, with no waiting period.
Coverage for Multiple Senior Citizens
The ₹5 lakh cover for senior citizens is shared across all eligible elderly members in the family.
This means even if both paternal and maternal grandparents are above 70, they share the same ₹5 lakh limit.
How to Apply
Senior citizens can apply online through:
The Ayushman Bharat portal
The Ayushman Bharat app
There is no income limit, and treatment is available from day one after registration.
Key Takeaway
Including senior citizens in the Ayushman Bharat scheme is a big relief for families.
With dedicated coverage for elderly members, families can now access better healthcare security.
Understanding the specific allocation of coverage ensures you can fully benefit from the scheme.
