Ayushman Bharat: What industry experts think about health coverage for citizens aged 70 and above

Every citizen aged 70 years and above will get free hospital treatment across the country through the Ayushman Vaya Vandana card under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.

Recently, the government has expanded the Ayushman health insurance scheme to include all people above this age limit, irrespective of their financial status. Modi emphasized the inclusive nature of the card, indicating that it will be available to all income groups, whether they are from poorer, middle or upper class backgrounds. The initiative aims to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs for families and improve access to healthcare for seniors.

However, the scheme has yet to be implemented in Delhi and West Bengal, excluding elderly residents of those states from its benefits, he said. This initiative aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to improve health coverage through the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which aims to protect vulnerable groups from healthcare costs.

The recent decision of the Union Cabinet to extend medical coverage under AB PM-JAY to all citizens aged 70 years and above is set to benefit over 6 million senior citizens in India. This expansion of the government’s flagship health insurance scheme aims to provide wider and more inclusive healthcare coverage.

Health experts have highlighted the initiative’s potential positive impact on India’s aging population and stress the importance of sustainable practices for its success.

Commenting on the programme, Joydeep Ghosh, Partner and Industry Leader for Life Sciences & Healthcare at Deloitte India said, “The additional health benefits offered under the AB-PMJAY scheme will enhance and accelerate its adoption by the most vulnerable sections of the society “. Ghosh highlighted the scheme’s potential to strengthen social infrastructure by improving access to healthcare at no extra cost.

NATHEALTH has expressed its willingness to work with the government to tailor the scheme to meet the specific needs of senior citizens, with the aim of ensuring equitable access and continuity of care for India’s senior population.

Abhay Soi, chairman of NATHEALTH and chairman of Max Healthcare, recognized the initiative as an important step in addressing the healthcare needs of India’s aging population.

According to Soi, the policy targets a segment with significant healthcare needs, emphasizing the importance of improving access to healthcare. He noted that NATHEALTH has consistently advocated for fair reimbursement rates and timely payments to hospitals under such schemes to support their long-term viability.