The expanded Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has added over 2.16 lakh elderly beneficiaries aged 70+ within the first week of its rollout, allowing them to access Rs 5 lakh in annual health coverage without an income limit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched this extension to ensure all elderly citizens receive health benefits, regardless of financial status.
Key Highlights of the Expanded AB-PMJAY
- New and Returning Beneficiaries: The latest data shows 32,000 additional elderly beneficiaries have re-registered to receive the Rs 5 lakh cover in the extended scheme. This group includes those previously covered under the income-based version.
- Top Participating States: Kerala leads with 89,800 new cards, followed by Madhya Pradesh (53,000) and Uttar Pradesh (47,000). Kerala’s high proportion of elderly citizens may drive demand, with seniors expected to make up 20.9% of its population by 2031.
- Other States’ Response: States like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh have seen slower registrations, with totals between 3,000-3,500 each. Punjab, however, has recorded 5,697 new registrations for seniors, ranking in the top ten states.
- States Opting Out: AAP-ruled Delhi and TMC-ruled West Bengal have opted out of the scheme. During the scheme’s expansion announcement, PM Modi expressed regret that elderly citizens in these states are excluded.
Future Impact and Registration Progress
This expansion aims to benefit around 4.5 crore families with over 6 crore elderly citizens. Elderly members from already eligible families will receive an exclusive Rs 5 lakh top-up to their existing cover, but they must re-register to activate it.
State-by-State Updates
- Punjab and J&K: Punjab implemented the expansion swiftly, and J&K, which already has universal coverage, is set to add the top-up option to enhance elderly support.
- Delayed Rollout in Maharashtra and Jharkhand: Maharashtra and Jharkhand await approval due to the Model Code of Conduct ahead of assembly elections, with delayed registrations until further notice.
- UP’s High Demand: Uttar Pradesh officials report high registration rates despite the pending full rollout in some districts due to by-elections. The state expects coverage for 66 lakh additional families and is using current funds until supplementary budget allocations are made.
- Himachal Pradesh’s Gradual Expansion: With about 1,600 elderly registrations, Himachal Pradesh officials are preparing to approve budgets and launch awareness campaigns to boost enrollment.
The AB-PMJAY, launched in 2018, remains the world’s largest health insurance program, supporting 6.86 crore hospital admissions to date. The expansion to cover all elderly reflects the government’s push to ensure health security for seniors across India, though some states are still navigating financial planning and procedural delays.
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