The Ayushman Bharat Card Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) continues to provide eligible beneficiaries with health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. One of the biggest changes in the scheme is that the government now includes all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income or economic status.
For millions of families, the Ayushman Bharat Card can mean access to cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals without having to bear the full financial burden of major medical procedures.
Ayushman Bharat Card: What Is the Latest Update?
The Centre expanded AB PM-JAY coverage to include every citizen aged 70 or above, regardless of their income. Eligible senior citizens receive a separate Ayushman card under the scheme. The Union Cabinet approved the expansion in September 2024, and the government aims to cover around 6 crore senior citizens from approximately 4.5 crore families.
Importantly, senior citizens who already have private health insurance or Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) coverage can also qualify for AB PM-JAY. Those covered by certain government health schemes have specific options regarding which scheme they choose to use.
Who Can Get an Ayushman Bharat Card?
Eligibility depends on the category under which a person is covered.
The scheme provides health assurance for eligible families and does not impose a restriction on the number of family members who can receive benefits once the family is eligible.
Special rule for people aged 70+
The government has made the eligibility rule much simpler for senior citizens aged 70 years or above.
According to the National Health Authority’s FAQ:
- There is no income restriction for eligible people aged 70 or above.
- Aadhaar-based e-KYC is required for enrolment.
- Aadhaar is the required document for enrolment under the senior-citizen provision.
- A separate Ayushman card is issued to eligible senior citizens.
- Treatment can be accessed from the first day of enrolment, with no waiting period for diseases or treatments under this provision.
How Much Free Treatment Is Available?
The core AB PM-JAY benefit provides health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for eligible beneficiaries for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
For families already covered by AB PM-JAY, a senior citizen aged 70 or above receives an additional top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year for themselves, and they do not have to share it with family members below 70. Other eligible senior citizens receive coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year on a family basis.
How to Apply for an Ayushman Bharat Card Online
Eligible senior citizens can enrol through the official beneficiary portal or the Ayushman App.
The National Health Authority says eligible senior citizens can complete the enrolment process using Aadhaar-based e-KYC.
People who need assistance with the process can complete enrolment and beneficiary identification through designated centres and empanelled hospitals.
What Documents Do You Need?
For senior citizens aged 70 years and above applying under the expanded AB PM-JAY coverage, the National Health Authority requires only Aadhaar for enrolment and makes Aadhaar-based e-KYC mandatory.
For other beneficiary categories, documentation and verification can depend on the beneficiary identification process and the applicable state arrangements.
Where Can Ayushman Card Beneficiaries Get Treatment?
Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries can receive treatment at empanelled government and private hospitals covered under PM-JAY.
The scheme also supports portability, meaning an eligible beneficiary can receive cashless treatment outside their home state at an empanelled hospital.
What Does the Ayushman Bharat Card Cover?
The scheme primarily covers hospitalisation and provides eligible secondary and tertiary healthcare services under approved packages.
However, not every medical expense automatically falls under PM-JAY.
Beneficiaries should therefore confirm the applicable PM-JAY package and check whether it covers their particular procedure before seeking treatment.
Ayushman Bharat Card: Important Point for Beneficiaries
Having an Ayushman card does not mean that every hospital or every medical service is automatically free. The hospital must be empanelled under the scheme and the treatment must fall within the applicable covered package.
Why the 70+ Expansion Matters
Older people often incur higher healthcare expenses, particularly when they need hospitalisation or major medical procedures.
Ayushman Bharat Card: What You Should Do Now
The National Health Authority says eligible senior citizens can enrol through the beneficiary portal and Ayushman App using Aadhaar-based e-KYC.
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