A Major Boost for India’s Senior Citizens – PMJAY Expands to Cover Everyone aged 70+
The Government of India has made a massive announcement that’s going to be a game-changer for the elderly. The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is being expanded to include all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of how much money they’ve got or where they come from in the social ladder. This new initiative, commonly known as Ayushman Bharat 2.0, gives the assurance that India’s elderly won’t have to worry about footing massive medical bills, and can live their lives with dignity and peace of mind.
As part of this new initiative, eligible seniors will get their own Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, which is a dedicated cover of ₹5 lakh per year for hospitalizations in secondary and tertiary care hospitals.
1. The Lowdown on Key Features & Benefits
- Universal Coverage: Doesn’t matter how much money you make – if you are 70+, you qualify for this benefit.
- Your Own Top-Up: If your family is already covered under PMJAY, seniors get an extra ₹5 lakh top-up that’s separate from the rest of the family’s policy.
- Day 1 Coverage: No waiting period at all. Pre-existing diseases (like diabetes, hypertension and heart conditions) are covered right from the first day of signing up.
- Your Choice: Seniors who are already under CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF schemes have the option to either stick with their current scheme or switch over to AB-PMJAY. And even if you’ve got private insurance, you’re still eligible for this government benefit.
2. How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting your Ayushman Vay Vandana Card is a pretty straightforward, digital process. You can do it yourself on your smartphone, or visit a centre near you.
Option A: Using the Ayushman App
- Download the App: Get the Ayushman App from the Google Play Store and install it.
- Log In: Pick Beneficiary, enter your mobile number and verify it using an OTP.
- Search: Click on ‘Scheme’, select PMJAY and under ‘Sub-Scheme’, choose Ayushman Vaya Vandana (70+).
- Aadhaar Verification: Enter your Aadhaar number. If the system sees that your age on your Aadhaar card is 70+, it will take you further.
- e-KYC: Do e-KYC using Face Auth, Fingerprint or Aadhaar OTP.
- Pro Tip: If your fingerprints are coming out faint (which is often the case with elderly citizens), try using the Face Auth feature for an instant match.
- Download Your Card: Once verified, you can instantly download and print out your Ayushman Vay Vandana Card.
Option B: Offline Registration
Just walk into your nearest Common Service Center (CSC) or go to a helpdesk at any Empaneled Hospital. Carry only your Aadhaar Card as it will serve as the one document required for age and identity verification.
3. A List of Private Hospitals in the PMJAY Network
As it stands now, there are over 15,733 private hospitals across the country that are part of the PMJAY network. These range from specialist eye clinics to multi-specialty cardiac centres.
While the exact list can vary depending on where you are from, major multi-nationals and local hospitals in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are usually part of the network. You can find the latest list by following these steps:
- Visit the .
- Select your State and District.
- Pick the “Private (Empaneled)” hospital type.
- Filter by Specialty (e.g., Cardiology, Orthopedics) to find the nearest centre that suits your needs.
Common Private Specialties They Cover:
- Heart Care: Angioplasty, Pacemaker implantation.
- Ortho Services: Hip/Knee replacements, fracture surgeries.
- Eye Care: Advanced Cataract surgeries.
- Urology: Prostate surgeries, Dialysis.
Conclusion
The Ayushman Bharat 70+ expansion is a safety net that covers over 6 crore senior citizens. By eliminating the “waiting period” and income barriers, the government has ensured that healthcare is a right, not a privilege, for the elderly. If you have a senior in your family, ensure they are enrolled today to secure their health for tomorrow.
