Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Crosses 36 Crore Verified Beneficiaries, Expands Coverage to Senior Citizens

Over ₹1.16 Lakh Crore Authorized for Hospital Admissions; Scheme Now Covers Senior Citizens Above 70 Irrespective of Socio-Economic Status

New Delhi, December 21: Nearly 36 crore beneficiaries have been verified under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) as of November 30, 2024, according to Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav. The data was shared in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Friday.

Significant Impact on Healthcare Access

Under the flagship health insurance scheme, over 8.39 crore hospital admissions worth more than ₹1.16 lakh crore have been authorized, significantly reducing the Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) burden on beneficiaries for hospitalization costs.

AB PM-JAY provides a health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to approximately 55 crore individuals, representing 12.37 crore families from the bottom 40% of India’s economically vulnerable population.

State Integration and Coverage Expansion

Many States and Union Territories have merged their State Health Insurance Schemes with AB PM-JAY, thereby increasing the population covered under government-funded health insurance to include over 18 crore families.

In March 2024, the government expanded the scheme to include 37 lakh families of ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers, and Anganwadi Helpers.

Additionally, on October 29, 2024, the government further extended free treatment benefits of up to ₹5 lakh per year to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status. This expansion is expected to benefit around 4.5 crore families, covering approximately 6 crore individuals across the country.

A Milestone in Healthcare Access

The continuous expansion and successful implementation of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY mark a significant milestone in improving healthcare accessibility and financial protection for millions of Indians.

The scheme’s focus on addressing health inequalities and ensuring affordable healthcare for vulnerable populations highlights the government’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in India.