Ayushman Bharat Scheme: Families with Parents Above 70 Get ₹10 Lakh Health Cover, But There’s a Catch

The Government of India has expanded its flagship healthcare scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), to offer additional financial protection for families with senior citizens. Earlier, each eligible family was entitled to ₹5 lakh of free annual health insurance coverage under the scheme.

Now, with the inclusion of elderly family members aged 70 years and above, families can avail of a total of ₹10 lakh coverage. However, this benefit comes with an important condition: the additional ₹5 lakh is meant exclusively for senior citizens and cannot be shared with younger family members.

This means that if the ₹5 lakh coverage is already used for the treatment of the husband, wife, or children, the extra ₹5 lakh reserved for senior citizens cannot be used for them. The health cover is effectively divided, ₹5 lakh for the family unit (husband, wife, and children) and ₹5 lakh for senior members aged 70 or above.

Another key advantage of the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme is that there is no restriction on family size. This feature is particularly beneficial for joint or multi-generational families, where elderly members can also be included and protected under the same health insurance plan.

Eligibility Criteria for Senior Citizens

The eligibility rule for senior citizens under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is simple: any Indian citizen aged 70 years or above can enrol, provided their age is verified through Aadhaar.

Unlike several other government schemes, income or economic status is not a determining factor here. This means that even if a senior citizen earns a significant income or owns a business, they can still benefit from the scheme.

Mandatory Aadhaar and Documentation

To enrol in the Ayushman Bharat Senior Citizen Scheme, Aadhaar-based e-KYC is mandatory. The Aadhaar card serves as both proof of identity and age verification.

If the Aadhaar only lists the birth year and not the complete date of birth, then January 1 of the year following the recorded birth year will be treated as the official date of birth for eligibility purposes.

No additional documentation is needed beyond the Aadhaar card, which simplifies the enrolment process for senior citizens.

Enrolment Process for Senior Citizens

Once a family member aged 70 or above enrols in the Ayushman Bharat scheme, other eligible senior members of the same family can be added easily using the “Add Member” feature on the Ayushman Bharat enrolment portal. Separate registrations are not required for each elderly member.

Applications can be made online through the official Ayushman Bharat portal at beneficiary.nha.gov.in or via the Ayushman App, which is available for download on the Google Play Store.

Upon successful enrolment, eligible senior citizens receive a separate Ayushman card under their own name.

One of the major benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme is that there is no waiting period. Beneficiaries can start availing of healthcare services from the first day of enrolment, and the coverage is effective immediately.

Coverage and Benefits Explained

Families with senior citizens aged 70 years or above can now enjoy ₹10 lakh total health insurance coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. However, this coverage is split into two parts:

• ₹5 lakh for the family unit, which covers the husband, wife, and children.
• ₹5 lakh exclusively for senior citizens aged 70 and above, which cannot be used by younger members.

This ensures that older members of the family have dedicated protection for age-related health issues without affecting the rest of the family’s insurance coverage.

Common FAQs

1. My father is over 70 years old and earns more than ₹50,000 a month. Is he eligible?

Yes, the scheme does not have any income-based restrictions. Any Indian citizen aged 70 or above can enrol, regardless of earnings.

2. My parents already have private health insurance. Can they still join PM-JAY?

Yes, having private insurance does not affect eligibility. Senior citizens can avail of benefits under both, though reimbursement coordination depends on hospital policies.

3. My parents are covered under ESIC. Are they still eligible for PM-JAY?

Yes. Even those covered under ESIC can enrol for Ayushman Bharat benefits.

4. I am a retired government employee above 70 years with a CGHS card. Can I join?

Yes, but dual benefits are not allowed. Those availing CGHS or other government health schemes must choose one between Ayushman Bharat and their existing plan.

5. If my parents surrender their current government health scheme for Ayushman Bharat, can they switch back?

No. Once enrolled under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and after surrendering the previous government scheme, the decision is final. Beneficiaries cannot revert to the earlier scheme.

No Waiting Period and Immediate Access

One of the major advantages of this scheme is that senior citizens can start using the health coverage immediately after enrolment. There are no waiting periods for pre-existing diseases, hospitalisation, or any medical procedure.

This ensures that elderly members, who are often prone to health issues, get instant access to medical facilities without delay.

Why This Expansion Matters

India has a rapidly ageing population, and medical costs continue to rise. By introducing the additional ₹5 lakh coverage for senior citizens, the government aims to reduce the financial stress on families and provide greater healthcare access to older citizens.

The Ayushman Bharat Senior Citizen scheme not only promotes health security but also supports families who care for elderly members by reducing the burden of medical expenses.

Also Read: Delhi’s Ladli Yojana October 1 Payout: Eligibility Criteria and Scheme Benefits Explained!

Conclusion

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’s expanded benefits mark a major step toward inclusive healthcare in India. Families with members aged 70 years and above now enjoy ₹10 lakh health cover, with ₹5 lakh reserved exclusively for senior citizens.

While this ensures better financial protection for elderly members, families must remember that the additional coverage cannot be used by younger members. The scheme’s simplicity, Aadhaar-based enrolment, and immediate coverage make it a valuable initiative for India’s growing senior population, bringing affordable, accessible, and equitable healthcare to millions.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.