On October 29, 2024, the Government of India expanded the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to provide free treatment benefits of up to ₹5 lakh per year to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their socio-economic status, including tribal communities.
The National Health Authority (NHA) has outlined the latest national Health Benefit Package (HBP), which offers cashless healthcare services for 1961 procedures across 27 medical specialties, including General Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Cardiology, Oncology, and more, available to various age groups. Eligible senior citizens can access treatments such as Hemodialysis / Peritoneal Dialysis, Acute Ischemic Stroke, accelerated hypertension, Total Hip Replacement, Total Knee Replacement, PTCA (including diagnostic angiogram), and Permanent Pacemaker Implantations (Single and Double Chamber). States also have the flexibility to tailor the Health Benefit Package to local needs.
Under AB-PMJAY, Ayushman Vay Vandana Card beneficiaries can avail themselves of the scheme’s benefits at a network of over 30,072 hospitals, including 13,352 private hospitals.
The AB-PMJAY also has a comprehensive media and outreach strategy to raise awareness and educate beneficiaries, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This includes advertisements on traditional media platforms such as newspapers, community radio, street plays, digital displays, radio campaigns, and beneficiary testimonials aired on Doordarshan. State Health Agencies have also engaged frontline workers like ASHAs, AWWs, and Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) to spread awareness at the grassroots level. Additionally, Ayushman Vay Vandana Cardholders can call the helpline number 1800-110-770 or the 24×7 call center (14555) for assistance or queries.
The government has also directed states to conduct extensive IEC activities to increase awareness about the expansion of AB-PMJAY for all senior citizens aged 70 and above.
This information was provided by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.