Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card

Source: DD News

Context: Prime Minister recently launched the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card as an extension of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

  • This card aims to ensure free healthcare for every citizen aged 70 years and above, providing an annual coverage of up to ₹5 lakh.

About Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card:

  • Origin: Announced during the Union Budget 2024-25.
  • Ministry: Operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  • Aim: To provide free, universal healthcare access to seniors above 70 years, ensuring they can avail of necessary treatments without financial burdens.
  • Eligibility: All Indian citizens aged 70 years or older are eligible, regardless of income or economic status.
  • Features:
    • Coverage: Provides an annual health cover of ₹5 lakh per family for healthcare needs, shared if multiple elderly individuals live in one household.
    • Enrolment process: Requires registration via the PM-JAY portal or Ayushman app and mandatory eKYC completion, even for those with existing Ayushman cards.
    • Integrated with other schemes: Beneficiaries of other government health schemes (e.g., CGHS, ECHS) can either retain existing coverage or opt for the Ayushman Bharat benefits.
    • Additional support: Also available for individuals insured under the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and those with private health insurance.

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