Ayushman Vay Vandana Card: The central government launched the ‘Ayushman Vay Vandana Card’ in October 2024. Under this scheme, senior citizens aged over 70 receive cashless treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh annually, completely free of charge—regardless of their income or whether they are already covered by any insurance plan.
This initiative is an extension of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. It falls under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and is specifically designed keeping the country’s elderly citizens in mind. Let’s explore who is eligible for this scheme and how to avail its benefits.
Who Will Benefit?
There are approximately 60 million senior citizens in India aged 70 or above, belonging to around 45 million families. All these individuals are eligible for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card. Their age will be verified based on the age recorded in their Aadhaar card. No consideration will be given to the person’s economic status.
Will the Total Coverage Amount Be ₹10 Lakh?
A key feature of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card is that it is open to every citizen aged 70 and above. Unlike the previous scheme (PM-JAY), there are no income limits or socio-economic criteria. For those already benefiting from the Ayushman Bharat scheme, this card acts as a top-up, increasing their total coverage to ₹10 lakh.
This card will also be available to individuals enrolled in other government or private health insurance schemes, but they must choose to avail either the existing benefits or this scheme’s benefits, not both simultaneously.
Comprehensive Treatment Coverage
The scheme covers 1,961 medical procedures across 27 specialties. One of its best features is that pre-existing conditions are covered from day one, unlike typical insurance policies that impose waiting periods for certain illnesses. Cashless treatment is available at 30,072 empaneled hospitals nationwide, including 13,352 private hospitals.
Key Covered Services:
- Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
- Knee and hip replacement surgeries
- Treatment of heart diseases such as PTCA and pacemaker implantation
- Cancer and stroke treatment
- Complex bone and neuro surgeries
How to Register and Download the Card
The government has launched the ‘Ayushman App’ for this purpose, available for download on the Google Play Store. The entire registration process is digital and can be completed by following these steps:
- Download the ‘Ayushman App’ from the Google Play Store.
- Select ‘Login as beneficiary’ or ‘operator.’
- Enter the captcha, mobile number, and authentication mode.
- Log in using the OTP and grant the app location access.
- Fill in the beneficiary’s state and Aadhaar-linked information.
- If the name is not found, complete the eKYC process.
- Fill out the declaration form and provide all required information.
- Enter the PIN code and category; you may also add family members if desired.
Once successfully verified, your Ayushman Vay Vandana Card will be available for download. This card allows you to receive free treatment up to ₹5 lakh at empaneled hospitals.
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