The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), the Government of India’s flagship health insurance scheme, continues to make significant strides in improving healthcare access for economically vulnerable sections of the population.
Key Features and Coverage
AB PM-JAY offers health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. This initiative targets around 12.37 crore families, approximately 55 crore individuals, comprising the bottom 40% of India’s socio-economic pyramid.
To enhance the scheme’s reach, many States and Union Territories have merged their respective state health insurance schemes with AB PM-JAY. As a result, the coverage has been extended to over 18 crore families nationwide.
Expansion of Beneficiary Categories
- March 2024: The scheme was expanded to include 37 lakh families of ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers, and Anganwadi Helpers, ensuring access to quality healthcare for these frontline workers and their families.
- October 29, 2024: AB PM-JAY further extended its benefits to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status. This initiative is estimated to cover 4.5 crore families, benefiting approximately 6 crore senior citizens.
Impact and Achievements
- Beneficiary Verification: As of November 30, 2024, approximately 36 crore beneficiaries have been verified under the scheme.
- Hospital Admissions: The scheme has authorized 8.39 crore hospital admissions worth over ₹1.16 lakh crore.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenditure Savings: The initiative has significantly reduced hospitalization-related out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiaries, offering financial relief to millions of families.
Government Commitment
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, highlighted these milestones in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. The continuous expansion of AB PM-JAY underscores the government’s commitment to achieving universal healthcare access and improving the overall health and well-being of citizens, especially those in vulnerable sections of society.
