In a country where a single hospital bill can push families into debt, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a beacon of hope. Launched on September 23, 2018, this scheme addresses the harsh reality that 55 million Indians fall into poverty annually due to out-of-pocket healthcare costs, as reported by the Public Health Foundation of India in 2018. At its core is the Ayushman Bharat Health Card, offering cashless treatment to vulnerable families. In 2024, the scheme expanded to include the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, a dedicated health card for senior citizens aged 70 and above, ensuring senior citizen health insurance without income barriers.
Coupled with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), now known as the Ayushman Arogya ID, AB-PMJAY is transforming India’s healthcare landscape.
The Need for Ayushman Bharat and Senior Citizen Coverage
The Healthcare Crisis in India
India’s healthcare system is marked by stark disparities. Urban areas have advanced hospitals, but rural regions often lack basic facilities. The National Health Profile 2020 pegged public health spending at 1.35% of GDP, among the lowest globally. This results in 58% of healthcare costs being out-of-pocket, per the National Health Accounts 2019. For many, a health emergency—like a heart attack or cancer treatment—means borrowing money or selling assets.
Seniors aged 70 and above are particularly vulnerable. With rising medical costs and age-related conditions like diabetes or arthritis, private health insurance for senior citizens is often unaffordable or unavailable due to pre-existing conditions. The World Bank notes that 50–60 million Indians slip into poverty yearly due to medical expenses, with seniors and low-income groups hit hardest. A 2019 The Lancet study found 20% of households face catastrophic health costs, deepening financial distress.
The Vision of Ayushman Bharat
Ayushman Bharat, launched under the National Health Policy 2017, aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It has two pillars:
Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs): Over 1.5 lakh centers provide preventive and primary care, including vaccinations and chronic disease screening.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY): Offers up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization, targeting 55 crore beneficiaries (bottom 40% of the population).
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, introduced on October 29, 2024, extends PM-JAY to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income, addressing their unique healthcare needs. This government health insurance scheme aims to reduce financial burdens, improve health outcomes, and ensure equitable access, making terms like “Ayushman Bharat health insurance” and “senior citizen Ayushman card” synonymous with hope.
Source: NHA, nha.gov.in; The Lancet, 2019; World Bank, 2020.
Eligibility and Beneficiaries
Who is Eligible for the Ayushman Bharat Card?
The Ayushman Bharat Health Card targets vulnerable families based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011:
Rural Areas:
Households with one room and kucha (temporary) walls/roof.
No adult male aged 16–59 years.
Families with a disabled member or no able-bodied adult.
SC/ST households.
Landless households reliant on manual labor.
Destitute, manual scavenger, or bonded labor families.
Urban Areas:
11 occupational categories, including ragpickers, domestic workers, street vendors, construction workers, and rickshaw pullers.
Families with active Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) cards as of February 28, 2018, are included.
Who is Eligible for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card?
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, a senior citizen card, is a game-changer. Announced on September 11, 2024, and launched on October 29, 2024, it covers all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income or socio-economic status. This universal eligibility benefits approximately 6 crore seniors across 4.5 crore families. Key points:
No Income Criteria: Unlike the standard Ayushman card, the Vay Vandana card is open to all seniors, from low-income to affluent.
Choice for Existing Scheme Holders: Seniors under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) can choose PM-JAY or retain their current scheme.
Private Insurance Compatibility: Seniors with private health insurance or Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) coverage can also avail PM-JAY benefits.
2025 Update: By May 2025, 25 lakh seniors had enrolled for the Vay Vandana card, with 10 lakh registrations within three weeks of launch. Treatments worth ₹40 crore have been availed, benefiting over 22,000 seniors for procedures like coronary angioplasty, hip replacements, and cataract surgeries.
Source: NHA, pmjay.gov.in; Union Cabinet, September 11, 2024; mohfw.gov.in.
Who Benefits?
The Ayushman Bharat Health Card covers 12 crore families (55 crore individuals), with family floater coverage ensuring no cap on family size or age. The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card specifically benefits seniors, addressing their high medical costs. Women (48% of beneficiaries) and seniors gain priority access, with 51% of admissions involving those aged 45+, per 2023 NHA data. For example, a senior in a rural household can access dialysis or cancer care without financial strain.
Source: NHA, ayushmanbharat.haryana.gov.in.
Features and Benefits
Key Features of the Ayushman Bharat Health Card
Cashless and Paperless: Treatment via a QR-coded Golden Card eliminates upfront payments.
₹5 Lakh Coverage: Covers 1,949 procedures across 27 specialties (e.g., cardiology, oncology).
Nationwide Portability: Valid at over 26,500 empanelled hospitals, aiding migrant workers.
Comprehensive Care: Includes pre-hospitalization (3 days), post-hospitalization (15 days), diagnostics, and daycare surgeries.
Government-Funded: Premiums are shared (60:40 Centre-states; 90:10 for northeastern/Himalayan states).
Key Features of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card mirrors PM-JAY’s features but is tailored for seniors:
₹5 Lakh Top-Up Coverage: Seniors in PM-JAY families get an additional ₹5 lakh exclusively for themselves, not shared with younger members. Non-PM-JAY seniors receive ₹5 lakh on a family basis.
No Waiting Period: Covers pre-existing conditions from day one, crucial for seniors with chronic illnesses.
Shared Coverage: If multiple seniors (e.g., spouses) are in one household, the ₹5 lakh is divided among them.
Universal Access: Available to all seniors aged 70+, regardless of income, at empanelled hospitals.
Integration with ESIC allows beneficiaries to access PM-JAY hospitals and vice versa, expanding options. Odisha and Delhi joined PM-JAY by April 2025, ensuring nationwide coverage.
Source: NHA, pmjay.gov.in; Economic Survey 2023-24.
Benefits for Beneficiaries
Financial Relief: A 2022 NHA study reported a 30% reduction in catastrophic health expenses, preventing debt.
Quality Care: Seniors access treatments like chemotherapy or joint replacements, previously unaffordable.
Emergency Security: The ₹5 lakh cover protects against high-cost procedures like ICU stays.
Empowerment: Women and seniors, especially those aged 70+, gain equitable access.
Benefits for the Healthcare System
Infrastructure Growth: Over 26,500 hospitals, including 11,000 private ones, are empanelled, spurring upgrades.
Quality Standards: Empanelment requires 10 beds, qualified staff, and diagnostics, raising care quality.
Health Outcomes: A 2022 Health Affairs study noted improved hospitalization rates in PM-JAY states.
Success Story: In 2024, a 72-year-old from Kerala underwent a ₹2 lakh cataract surgery for free using her Vay Vandana card, preserving her family’s savings. Such cases, documented by NHA, highlight impact.
Source: NHA Case Studies, 2024; Health Affairs, 2022.
How to Apply and Use the Cards
Applying for the Ayushman Bharat Health Card
No formal registration is needed for eligible families. Steps include:
Check Eligibility:
Visit beneficiary.nha.gov.in, click “Am I Eligible.”
Enter Aadhaar, mobile number, ration card, or RSBY URN, and verify with OTP.
Visit a CSC or Hospital:
Go to a Common Service Centre (CSC) or empanelled hospital.
Submit Aadhaar or other identity proofs; an Ayushman Mitra assists.
Receive the Golden Card after KYC.
Applying for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card
Seniors aged 70+ can apply online or offline:
Online via Website:
Visit beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
Enter mobile number, captcha, and OTP.
Click the “PMJAY For 70+” banner.
Enter Aadhaar, verify with OTP, and complete e-KYC.
Upload a photo, provide family details, and submit.
Download the card after 15 minutes.
Online via Ayushman App:
Download the Ayushman App from Google Play Store.
Log in as a beneficiary with mobile number and OTP.
Enter Aadhaar, complete e-KYC, and upload a photo.
Add family details and submit.
Download the card after approval.
Offline:
Visit a CSC, empanelled hospital, or registration van (e.g., Delhi’s ‘Ayushman Panzikaran Vain’).
Provide Aadhaar and age proof; complete e-KYC.
Receive the card post-verification.
A house-to-house e-KYC campaign by ASHA workers verified 1.57 crore NFSA beneficiaries. Delhi launched 70 registration vans in May 2025, covering all constituencies.
Source: NHA, beneficiary.nha.gov.in; mohfw.gov.in.
Downloading the Cards
Ayushman Bharat Health Card:
Visit setu.pmjay.gov.in, enter Aadhaar/mobile number, and download via OTP.
Use the UMANG app under PMJAY’s “Download e-Card” option.
Ayushman Vay Vandana Card:
Download from beneficiary.nha.gov.in or the Ayushman App post-e-KYC, typically within 15 minutes.
Using the Cards
Locate a Hospital: Check empanelled hospitals on pmjay.gov.in or call 14555.
Present the Card: Show the Ayushman or Vay Vandana card at the PM-JAY desk.
Verification: The Ayushman Mitra scans the QR code to confirm eligibility.
Cashless Treatment: Receive authorized treatment without payment.
Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA)
The ABHA, a 14-digit digital health ID, stores medical records for seamless sharing. To create:
Visit abha.abdm.gov.in, enter Aadhaar, and verify with OTP.
Fill in details and download the ABHA card.
Over 30 crore ABHA IDs were created by March 2025, with 50% of Indians covered, per PMO India.
Source: ABHA Portal, abha.abdm.gov.in.
Impact and Future of Ayushman Bharat and Vay Vandana
Achievements So Far
Enrollment: Over 35 crore Ayushman cards issued by September 2024, with 23 crore beneficiaries verified by May 2025.
Vay Vandana Enrollment: 25 lakh seniors enrolled by May 2025, with ₹40 crore in treatments for 22,000 seniors.
Treatments: Over 5 crore hospital admissions worth ₹60,000 crore across 26,500 hospitals.
Cancer Care: A 2024 The Lancet study credited PM-JAY for a 90% increase in timely cancer treatment.
Gender Equity: 48% of beneficiaries are women; 51% of admissions involve those aged 45+.
Challenges and Solutions
Awareness: 40% of rural families were unaware of PM-JAY in 2021 (The Hindu). Solution: ASHA campaigns and Delhi’s registration vans.
Infrastructure: Some hospitals lack specialized equipment. Solution: Upgrading HWCs and empaneling more hospitals.
Private Sector Hesitancy: Low reimbursement rates deter private hospitals (Indian Express, 2023). Solution: Revised tariffs and audits.
Fraud Prevention: Fake portals pose risks. Solution: NHA emphasizes pmjay.gov.in as the official site.
Future Prospects
Coverage Increase: Proposals to raise the ₹5 lakh limit due to medical inflation.
Preventive Care: Expanding HWC services for mental health and cancer screening.
Digital Health: Scaling ABHA to 50 crore IDs by 2026.
Infertility Treatment: Madhya Pradesh introduced ART centers for infertility under PM-JAY in 2024.
Global Model: PM-JAY is studied by Nigeria and Indonesia, per WHO 2024.
Source: The Hindu, 2021; Indian Express, 2023; ayushmanbharat.mp.gov.in.
Unique Value for Readers
2025 Updates: Covers Vay Vandana’s 25 lakh enrollments, ESIC integration, and ABHA milestones.
Myth-Busting: Clarifies PM-JAY and Vay Vandana are free; Aadhaar is sufficient.
Practical Tips: Use the Ayushman App for seniors; check hospital lists on pmjay.gov.in.
Senior Focus: Detailed steps for “Ayushman Bharat for senior citizens” and “government health insurance scheme.”
Conclusion
The Ayushman Bharat Health Card and Ayushman Vay Vandana Card are transforming healthcare for millions, especially seniors aged 70 and above. With ₹5 lakh in cashless health insurance, nationwide portability, and ABHA integration, PM-JAY ensures equitable access. In 2025, milestones like 25 lakh Vay Vandana enrollments, ESIC synergy, and 30 crore ABHA IDs mark progress. Challenges like awareness are being addressed with innovative campaigns. As PM-JAY evolves, it promises a healthier, inclusive India where no senior citizen fears medical costs.
Sources:
National Health Authority, nha.gov.in
PMJAY Portal, pmjay.gov.in
ABHA Portal, abha.abdm.gov.in
Ministry of Health, mohfw.gov.in
Economic Survey 2023-24
The Lancet, 2019, 2024
World Bank, 2020
Health Affairs, 2022
The Hindu, 2021
Indian Express, 2023
WHO, 2024
ayushmanbharat.mp.gov.in
beneficiary.nha.gov.in
setu.pmjay.gov.in
