The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income level.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to provide this coverage to senior citizens. Many families already covered under AB PM-JAY, which have elderly members, will receive additional benefits with top-up coverage of Rs 5 lakh.

The move is expected to benefit around six crore senior citizens from 4.5 crore households by offering them Rs 5 lakh in free health insurance coverage. Eligible beneficiaries will receive a new card to access the scheme.

Senior citizens currently enrolled in other government health schemes, such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), can either continue with their existing scheme or opt for AB-PMJAY.