Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card: Free Health Coverage for Seniors Over 70; Check Details Here

In a significant development for India's elderly population, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card, providing free hospital treatment for all citizens aged 70 and above. This initiative expands the existing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), offering a separate annual cover of Rs 5 lakh for around 6 million senior citizens across the country.

This is a very welcome step for the elderly people in India, which would help them provide quality healthcare at a low cost as healthcare is currently really expensive.

What is the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card?

The Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card is an expanded health insurance coverage for senior citizens under the government's Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) scheme. This card doesn't distinguish between classes of people; anyone from the upper middle or lower class can apply this card and can avail the benefits.

Since this initiative is part of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), beneficiaries can register by visiting the PM-JAY portal to obtain the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card.

As per the latest update, even if the beneficiaries already have an Ayushman card, they still need to finish an eKYC process in order to activate their cards. To activate the new card, they must undergo this eKYC process.

Who is eligible and Key Benefits of the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card

All seniors Over 70 years of age, regardless of their annual incomes or status, can avail of this card. This government-initiated scheme offering universal health coverage for families with senior citizens aims to provide considerable financial support in managing medical expenses.

This scheme features shared health coverage for individuals and their spouses, with a total coverage limit of Rs. 5 lakh. For those already registered with the Ayushman Bharat scheme, an additional Rs. 5 lakh coverage will be provided specifically for senior citizens within the family.

The card also benefits retired government employees aged 70 and above who were previously part of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). As per the latest updates, they have the option to continue with their existing coverage or switch to the new Ayushman Bharat scheme.

Beneficiaries covered under schemes like the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and private health insurance can also access Ayushman benefits, ensuring expansive support for the elderly population in India.

How to apply?

• To apply for the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card, eligible seniors or their family members can follow these steps:
• Visit the official website at nha.gov.in/PM-JAY.
• Select the Option 'PMJAY For 70+' option.
• You can sign up as beneficiaries or operators depending on who is registering the seniors themselves or their family members.
• Next you can link your Aadhar card.
• Complete the e-KYC process by following the prompts for verification.