Vikrant Shekhawat : Sep 11, 2024, 09:13 PM
Modi 3.0 Government: A very important decision has been taken in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, which will set a new direction regarding the health and security of the elderly of the country. Now, every elderly person above the age of 70 years will get free health insurance under the 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-Ayushman Bharat', which will cover everyone regardless of the economic condition.New category of Ayushman Bharat YojanaUnion Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, while giving information about this important decision, said that a new category will be started under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Under this new initiative, all senior citizens above 70 years of age will be given free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh. This facility will be available to the elderly from any section of the society, whether they are poor or rich.Benefits and scope of the schemeAccording to Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, senior citizens above the age of 70 years will get universal health coverage under this scheme. Currently, about 12.3 crore families are getting the benefit of Ayushman Bharat Yojana. With the implementation of the new facility, about 4.5 crore families or 6 crore senior citizens will benefit from it.If a family is already getting the benefit of Ayushman Bharat Yojana and there is a member above 70 years of age in that family, then that family will get an additional top-up of up to Rs 5 lakh per year. This will be a shared health cover, which will provide additional security for the elderly member of the family.Benefits under the new schemeFor those families who are not currently covered under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, now senior citizens above 70 years of age will be included under this scheme and they will get a shared cover of Rs 5 lakh per year. If a couple is above 70 years of age, then the insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh will be together for both.Option for government employeesGovernment employees will also get the benefit of this scheme. They will have the option to retain their old health schemes such as CGHS/SGHS or Army health schemes or opt for this new cover of Ayushman Bharat. Senior citizens having Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESI) or private health insurance will also have the opportunity to join this scheme.Application and ProvisionsThe government will provide this scheme free of cost. However, all senior citizens will be urged to take insurance and the application process will be started soon. The government has made an initial provision of Rs 3,437 crore for this new category, which will ensure the success and effectiveness of this important scheme.With this historic decision, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken an important step to give a new direction to the health and security of the elderly of the country, which will benefit millions of people and they will get a better health facility.