In a transformative step toward ensuring healthcare accessibility for India's elderly population, the Indian government launched the Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Card on October 29, 2024, under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This initiative targets senior citizens aged 70 and above, offering free health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh annually for hospitalization and treatment. As of May 2025, the scheme has enrolled over 47 lakh beneficiaries, providing cashless medical care at empanelled hospitals across India. This article explores the scheme’s objectives, eligibility criteria, application process, benefits, regional implementations, and its profound impact on senior citizens.
Background of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
Launched in 2018, the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is the world’s largest government-funded health insurance scheme, covering over 50 crore beneficiaries with up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. The Vay Vandana Card, introduced in 2024, extends this framework to focus on senior citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status. This move addresses critical healthcare challenges faced by the elderly, including high medical costs, limited insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure in rural areas.
Objectives of the Vay Vandana Card
The Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Card aims to achieve the following:
- Universal Healthcare Access: Provide free medical treatment worth ₹5 lakh annually to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income.
- Financial Protection: Alleviate the burden of healthcare costs for specialized treatments like dialysis, cardiology procedures, and cancer care.
- Simplified Enrollment: Streamline registration through digital platforms like the Ayushman App and empanelled hospitals.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Cover a wide range of treatments, including pre-existing conditions, with no waiting period.
- Empowering the Elderly: Enhance the health and well-being of senior citizens, particularly elderly women and widows.
Eligibility Criteria
The scheme is designed to be inclusive, with the following eligibility criteria:
- Age: All Indian citizens aged 70 years and above.
- No Income Barrier: Accessible to both affluent and economically disadvantaged seniors.
- Choice for Existing Beneficiaries: Seniors enrolled in other government schemes (e.g., CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF) must choose between their existing scheme and the Vay Vandana Card. Those with private insurance or ESIS can also opt in.
- Aadhaar-Based e-KYC: Mandatory Aadhaar verification for enrollment.
Application Process
The application process is user-friendly, ensuring accessibility for seniors:
- Download the Ayushman App: Available on Google Play Store or Apple App Store, or access the beneficiary portal at www.beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
- Register/Login: Use a mobile number or Aadhaar-linked credentials.
- Provide Aadhaar Details: Complete e-KYC verification using Aadhaar.
- Submit Declaration: Fill in eligibility details.
- Enter Mobile Number and OTP: Verify the mobile number with an OTP.
- Input Additional Details: Provide category, PIN code, and family information.
- Complete e-KYC: Submit the form for verification and download the card upon approval.
- Alternative Registration: Visit empanelled hospitals or Common Service Centres (CSCs). In Delhi, mobile vans facilitate on-the-spot registration with an Aadhaar card and proof of residence.
- Helpline Support: Contact 1800 11 0770 for assistance.
Benefits of the Vay Vandana Card
The scheme offers extensive benefits, including:
- Free Healthcare Coverage: Up to ₹5 lakh per year (₹10 lakh in Delhi) for hospitalization, with an additional ₹5 lakh top-up for families already under AB PM-JAY.
- Cashless Treatment: Available at over 29,870 empanelled hospitals, including 13,173 private facilities.
- Comprehensive Procedures: Covers ~2,000 procedures, such as hemodialysis, knee/hip replacements, cardiology treatments, stroke care, cancer treatment, and cataract surgery.
- No Waiting Period: Immediate coverage for pre-existing conditions.
- Focus on Elderly Women: Benefits over 50% of the 70+ demographic, particularly widows (54%).
- Digital Accessibility: Easy enrollment and card management via the Ayushman App.
Impact and Recent Developments
Since its launch, the scheme has achieved significant milestones:
- Enrollment: Over 47.2 lakh seniors enrolled by February 2025, with 25 lakh within the first 42 days.
- Treatment Utilization: Over 22,000 seniors availed treatments worth ₹40 crore for conditions like angioplasty, hip replacements, and dialysis.
- Delhi’s Implementation: Launched on April 28, 2025, with 70 mobile vans registering over 28,000 seniors in a week. Delhi offers ₹10 lakh coverage.
- Parliamentary Recommendations: In March 2025, a committee suggested lowering the eligibility age to 60 and increasing coverage to ₹10 lakh.
- Funding: ₹1,443 crore allocated for senior citizen treatments.
Regional Initiatives
Implementation varies by region:
- Delhi: Mobile vans across 70 constituencies simplify registration.
- Uttar Pradesh: High enrollment rates, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath promoting the scheme.
- Other States: Madhya Pradesh and Kerala lead in enrollments, supported by awareness campaigns.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite its success, challenges include:
- Awareness: Reaching rural and less tech-savvy seniors.
- Hospital Infrastructure: Ensuring empanelled hospitals can handle demand.
- Procedure Coverage: Expanding to include high-end diagnostics.
Future expansions may include lowering the eligibility age to 60 and increasing coverage to ₹10 lakh, enhancing the scheme’s reach.
The following table summarizes key impacts:
| Impact Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 47.2 lakh seniors enrolled by February 2025 |
| Treatment Utilization | 22,000+ treatments worth ₹40 crore |
| Delhi Initiative | 28,000+ registrations, ₹10 lakh coverage |
| Funding | ₹1,443 crore allocated |
Conclusion
The Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Card is a groundbreaking initiative that ensures healthcare access for India’s senior citizens. By offering free coverage of up to ₹5 lakh (₹10 lakh in Delhi), it alleviates financial burdens and enhances the quality of life for the elderly. With robust enrollment, significant treatment utilization, and ongoing regional efforts, the scheme is a cornerstone of India’s universal healthcare vision. For more information, visit www.beneficiary.nha.gov.in or call 1800 11 0770.
