Ayushman card for senior citizens: What you need to know

Healthcare costs can become a major concern in old age, especially when hospital treatment is needed.

To ease this burden, the government has expanded Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above.

The Union Cabinet approved the expansion in September 2024. Importantly, eligibility does not depend on income or economic status.

Around 6 crore senior citizens from 4.5 crore families are expected to benefit.

Eligible seniors receive a separate Ayushman card under AB PM-JAY. The card provides health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year.

Seniors already belonging to PM-JAY families get an additional ₹5 lakh top-up cover for themselves. This amount is not shared with family members below 70. Other eligible seniors receive ₹5 lakh cover on a family basis.

A key benefit is the simple eligibility rule. The senior citizen only needs to be 70 or older, based on the age recorded in Aadhaar.

Aadhaar-based e-KYC is mandatory for enrolment. The National Health Authority also states that Aadhaar is the only document required for enrolment under this senior-citizen expansion.

Senior citizens can apply online through the official beneficiary portal or the Ayushman App. During enrolment, Aadhaar details are verified through e-KYC.

Once the process is completed successfully, the distinct Ayushman card can be issued to the beneficiary.

The scheme also offers flexibility to some existing beneficiaries. Seniors covered under CGHS, ECHS or Ayushman CAPF can choose between their existing scheme and AB PM-JAY.

Those with private health insurance or ESI coverage can also use AB PM-JAY benefits.

For families, the card can provide an important financial safety net during hospitalisation. Eligible beneficiaries can access treatment under the scheme without a waiting period after enrolment, according to the NHA’s FAQ.

The senior-citizen Ayushman card therefore extends publicly funded health protection to a much wider elderly population.

For people aged 70 and above, checking eligibility and completing Aadhaar-based enrolment can help secure this benefit when medical care is needed.

Image Credit: Akshayrana69, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ayushman_bharat.jpg