India’s flagship health insurance program, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), now covers around 620 million people following a major expansion. The government has extended eligibility to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income or background.
Originally launched in 2018, the scheme aimed to offer ₹5 lakh of annual health coverage per family for serious hospital treatments to over 55 crore economically vulnerable individuals. With the inclusion of around 6.5 crore senior citizens, total coverage now reaches approximately 62 crore people.
The scheme has significantly impacted healthcare accessibility in the country. Data from the Ayushman Bharat portal indicates that over half of the hospital admissions under the scheme were for individuals aged 45 and above, with more than 44% of such admissions belonging to women. Moreover, the scheme has contributed to a decline in out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures, which have reduced from 62% in 2014 to 38% in recent years.
Eligible seniors will receive a special Ayushman card, allowing them cashless access to treatment in empanelled hospitals. For families already enrolled, an additional ₹5 lakh top-up will be granted exclusively for the elderly member. This move further strengthens India’s push for universal healthcare access.
