Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil a comprehensive health coverage scheme on October 29, tailored for India’s senior citizens aged 70 and above. The Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) will extend benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to an estimated six crore seniors across 4.5 crore households, regardless of income. Beneficiaries will receive up to ₹5 lakh annually in free treatment, accessible at any of the scheme’s 29,648 empanelled hospitals, which include 12,696 private facilities.

This initiative builds on AB-PMJAY’s mission to provide equitable healthcare to all, covering a previously underserved demographic. New beneficiaries can register on the PMJAY portal or the Ayushman app, with Aadhaar-based eKYC required for verification. Existing AB-PMJAY cardholders in this age bracket will receive an additional top-up of ₹5 lakh annually, separate from family coverage. The scheme also welcomes those under private or state health insurance policies, offering flexibility to seniors while excluding those under CGHS, ECHS, and Ayushman CAPF, who may choose to remain with their current plans.

Launching alongside the health coverage initiative, the U-WIN portal will replicate the success of Co-WIN, India’s COVID-19 vaccine management system, by creating a secure, permanent digital record of routine immunizations for children and pregnant women. Initially piloted, U-WIN now forms part of India’s Universal Immunization Programme, designed to track vaccinations from birth to age 17.

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Since its inception, AB-PMJAY has served as a healthcare lifeline for India, facilitating over 7.37 crore hospital admissions and providing benefits exceeding ₹1 lakh crore. Initially targeting 10.74 crore low-income families, the scheme expanded to cover 12 crore families in 2022, responding to India’s decadal population growth. In a further step toward inclusivity, AB-PMJAY now also extends free healthcare to 37 lakh ASHA, AWW, and AWH workers nationwide, emphasizing the government’s commitment to broadening access to essential health services.

This scheme is currently available across 33 states and Union Territories, with Delhi, Odisha, and West Bengal yet to implement it.

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