Elderly Health Insurance Scheme (Elderly Care Scheme)
ActiveLaunched by
Government of India
Launched Date
Launched On September 11, 2024
Available in
Scheme Description
The Elderly Health Insurance Scheme, also known as the Elderly Care Scheme, is a government initiative designed to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage to senior citizens in India. The scheme aims to address the growing healthcare needs of the elderly population, who often face financial and medical challenges due to aging. Launched with the goal of ensuring that senior citizens have access to affordable and quality healthcare services, the scheme covers a range of medical expenses including hospitalization, diagnostic tests, surgeries, and outpatient consultations.
Under this scheme, senior citizens are provided with an insurance cover that reduces their out-of-pocket expenses for health treatments. This is especially beneficial in a country where the elderly often struggle with high medical costs and limited access to specialized healthcare. The scheme also promotes preventive healthcare services such as regular health check-ups and wellness programs to manage age-related conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis.
By providing health insurance for seniors, the scheme aims to improve their quality of life, reduce financial burdens, and ensure timely access to necessary medical care. It also emphasizes the importance of elderly care, making sure that the older population is not left behind in India’s healthcare progress. The Elderly Health Insurance Scheme seeks to enhance the overall well-being of senior citizens, ensuring they live their later years with dignity and better health.
Benefits
- •₹5 Lakh Health Cover: Provides a free health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per year for senior citizens aged 70 and above.
- •Top-Up for Existing Beneficiaries: Senior citizens already covered under AB PM-JAY receive an additional ₹5 lakh top-up, exclusive to them and not shared with other family members.
- •Inclusive Coverage: Available to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income or socio-economic status.
- •Access to Quality Healthcare: Enables access to secondary and tertiary care hospitalization services at empaneled hospitals across India.
- •No Additional Premium: The scheme is entirely free for eligible senior citizens; no premium payment is required.
Eligibility
- •Age Requirement: Must be 70 years or older.
- •Residency: Must be a resident of India.
- •Income Status: No income ceiling; available to all senior citizens regardless of income.
- •Existing Coverage: Senior citizens covered under other public health schemes (e.g., CGHS, ECHS, CAPF) have the option to continue with their existing scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY.
- •Private Health Insurance Holders: Senior citizens with private health insurance can also avail of this scheme.
Documents Needed
- •Aadhaar Card: Mandatory for age verification and e-KYC.
- •Mobile Number: Linked to Aadhaar for OTP-based verification.
- •Photograph: A recent passport-sized photo may be required.
Application Process
- •Visit the official Ayushman Bharat Beneficiary Portal.
- •Click on "Login as Beneficiary" and enter your mobile number and CAPTCHA.
- •Verify the OTP sent to your mobile.
- •Select "Enrollment for 70 Years or More" and enter the Aadhaar number.
- •Complete the e-KYC process by verifying details and uploading a recent photograph.
- •Upon successful verification, download the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card.