In a significant policy shift, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat scheme to cover all individuals over the age of 70, irrespective of their income level. This decision, a key promise in the BJP’s recent Lok Sabha election campaign, is poised to bring nearly 6 crore additional beneficiaries into the fold of the world’s largest health insurance program.
The newly expanded Ayushman Bharat scheme will initially be rolled out with an outlay of Rs 3,437 crore. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, announcing the decision, emphasized that this is a demand-based scheme, meaning the coverage will be increased as demand grows.
“This is a demand-based scheme; as the demand goes up, the coverage will also be increased,” said Vaishnav.
Previously, the Ayushman Bharat scheme offered Rs 5 lakh annual coverage to the poorest 40 per cent of the population. With Wednesday’s announcement, senior citizens from middle and high-income families will also now also be covered.
Additional Benefits for the Poor
For senior citizens from poor families already covered under the existing Ayushman Bharat programme, the coverage amount will be increased to Rs 10 lakh per year. This additional Rs 5 lakh top-up is aimed at providing enhanced social security for those most vulnerable.
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“If there are two senior citizens in a family, then the Rs 5 lakh coverage will be shared between them,” Vaishnav explained, noting that this decision is particularly important as more families transition into nuclear setups. This expansion is seen as a crucial step towards providing better health security for India’s elderly.
Universal Coverage and Flexibility
The newly expanded Ayushman Bharat will also offer flexibility to those already covered under government programs like CGHS, ESIC, and the Defence cover. These individuals can choose to either continue with their existing health plans or switch to Ayushman Bharat for better coverage.
Vaishnav assured that the rollout would happen soon, and senior citizens across the country will be requested to enroll.
The Ayushman Bharat scheme has been pivotal in providing healthcare access to India’s most economically disadvantaged citizens. According to recent investigations, over half of the scheme’s beneficiaries have accessed private care, with a significant percentage hailing from southern states.
This expansion marks a move toward more universal health coverage, focusing on a demographic that is particularly vulnerable due to age-related health issues.
