Ayushman Bharat Vaya Vandana Cards for Free Healthcare to senior citizens. Know about free health insurance for citizens above 70 years.
Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Cards for Free Healthcare
Varanasi Seniors Receive Ayushman Cards for Free Healthcare: A Step Towards Empowering the Elderly.
In a significant move to provide free healthcare to senior citizens, a special camp was organized in Varanasi, India, where elderly citizens aged 70 years and above were enrolled in the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
This scheme aims to ensure quality healthcare for economically disadvantaged sections of society, with the added benefit of covering seniors for up to Rs 5 lakh worth of free medical treatment at registered hospitals.
Special Camp for Senior Citizens at SSPG Divisional Hospital
The event, held at SSPG Divisional Hospital in Kabirchaura, Varanasi, witnessed the distribution of Ayushman cards to eligible seniors.
Neelkanth Tiwari, the former minister and City South MLA, personally distributed the cards to the beneficiaries and also highlighted the importance of this initiative for senior citizens in the region.
The camp was set up to create Ayushman cards for the elderly and help them avail themselves of the free healthcare benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.
Key Highlights of the Ayushman Scheme
- Free Healthcare Coverage: Beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat scheme are eligible for free treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh at registered hospitals. This includes a wide range of medical services, from surgeries to hospital stays, and is aimed at reducing the financial burden of healthcare for elderly citizens.
- Eligibility: Any Indian citizen above 70 years of age is eligible to avail the benefits of the scheme. The only required document for enrollment is a valid Aadhaar card.
- Ease of Enrollment: The process of obtaining an Ayushman card has been made easy and convenient, especially with the use of mobile phones. The beneficiaries were encouraged to create their own Ayushman cards using mobile apps, which simplify the enrollment process.
How Seniors Can Get Their Ayushman Card
During the event, Neelkanth Tiwari demonstrated the card creation process by generating an Ayushman card for Awadhesh Kumar Singh from Virdopur using his mobile phone.
He urged senior citizens to follow the same process, ensuring ease of access and encouraging digital inclusion among the elderly.
For those who are not tech-savvy, assistance is readily available through several channels:
- Ayushman Mitra (volunteers who assist the elderly in registration)
- Public service centers and Panchayat assistants
- CHOs (Community Health Officers)
- Ration dealers and ASHA workers stationed at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
In addition to self-registration via the Ayushman app, Android and iPhone users can download the app directly from the Google Play Store and HSTP website, respectively.
Continued Efforts to Reach More Seniors
Dr. Sandeep Chaudhary, Chief Medical Officer, assured that similar camps would continue to be organized in the coming weeks, aiming to register as many senior citizens as possible.
He also stated that 85 Ayushman cards were issued during the event, with a total of 756 cards created across the district as part of this initiative.
Aadhaar-Based e-KYC: A Key Requirement
To ensure that all eligible seniors are covered, Aadhaar-based e-KYC will be mandatory for issuing Ayushman cards. This process ensures that only genuine beneficiaries are enrolled and helps to streamline the registration process, ensuring accuracy in data collection and distribution.
Additional Coverage for Seniors Aged 70 and Above
A key feature of the scheme for senior citizens is the provision of an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year for families that are already covered under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.
This ensures that senior citizens aged 70 years and above receive comprehensive healthcare coverage, regardless of their previous insurance status.
Conclusion: A Step Toward Inclusive Healthcare
The initiative in Varanasi is part of the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY‘s broader goal of improving healthcare access across India, particularly for vulnerable groups like the elderly. With continued efforts to enroll senior citizens and make healthcare more accessible, the scheme is poised to make a significant difference in the lives of many elderly citizens, offering them a much-needed safety net in their later years.
For those looking to benefit from this scheme, it is important to stay informed about upcoming camps, self-registration options, and other means of applying for the Ayushman Bharat card.
This program has the potential to be a game-changer in improving healthcare access for millions of senior citizens across India.