Ayushman Bharat 70+ Senior Citizen Card Online Apply: Eligibility, Required Documents & How to Claim ₹5 Lakh Free Hospital Cover
The Government of India has expanded the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to cover all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of income. Eligible seniors can obtain the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card and receive up to ₹5 lakh per year in cashless hospitalization benefits at empanelled hospitals across India.
The scheme is designed to reduce the financial burden of medical treatment and improve healthcare access for elderly citizens.
Who Is Eligible for the Ayushman Bharat 70+ Card?
Some of the key changes in the policy include the eligibility of each Indian citizen who is 70 years or older, irrespective of the income bracket. The most significant eligibility criteria for obtaining the Ayushman Vay Vandana card is based on age.
It should be noted that the inclusion of individuals covered by private insurance is possible. On the other hand, senior citizens having benefits of certain government health schemes, like CGHS, ECHS, and CAPF, have to opt for either the former or the latter.
What Benefits Do Senior Citizens Receive?
As per the plan, the senior citizens who qualify for the scheme get health insurance cover of up to ₹5 lakhs per year towards hospitalization and other medical costs in selected hospitals. The insurance covers procedures like secondary and tertiary procedures so that the beneficiaries do not have to pay from their own pockets while receiving treatment in a hospital.
It provides cashless treatment through a network of government and private hospitals in India. Diseases such as major illnesses, operations, cancer, heart-related illnesses, dialysis, and many other treatments are covered by this scheme.
Documents Required for Registration
Among the most vital documents that need to be submitted during the admission procedure, the applicant’s Aadhaar card plays a crucial role. The purpose of submitting the Aadhaar card is for identification and authentication using e-KYC.
Sometimes, apart from the submission of Aadhaar cards, proof of address or a mobile number linked to the Aadhaar card might be sought for verification purposes.
How to Apply Online for the Ayushman Bharat 70+ Card
The government has enabled a completely digital registration process for eligible senior citizens.
Applicants can visit the official beneficiary portal: Click Here
Upon successfully entering their Aadhaar-linked mobile number and verifying their identity, applicants can get verified through Aadhaar e-KYC and get themselves enrolled under the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme. After the verification process, the card will be downloadable right away.
The senior citizens will also be able to register through the Ayushman application via Aadhaar OTP.
Offline Registration Options
Offline registration is available for the elderly who are uncomfortable using the internet for the process.
Applicants who meet eligibility criteria may visit empanelled hospitals, Common Service Centres (CSCs), and special Ayushman registration centres to receive guidance. The healthcare professionals and registration agents will guide you in doing the Aadhaar card verification.
The government has also provided a toll-free helpline at 14555 and a missed call service at 1800-11-0770.
How to Claim the ₹5 Lakh Hospital Cover
As soon as the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card is issued, the beneficiary becomes eligible for treatment in empanelled hospitals throughout India.
In case of hospital admission, all that the beneficiary needs to do is submit his/her card and prove his/her identity. The eligible treatments will be covered by the scheme, enabling cashless admission and treatment as per the limits provided.
A notable feature of this scheme is that of portability; as a result, senior citizens can avail themselves of hospital services from empanelled hospitals regardless of where they reside.
Why the Scheme Is Important for Senior Citizens
Healthcare costs are expected to increase considerably past the age of 70. There are several challenges faced by many older people in accessing private health insurance due to certain barriers including age caps, waiting period requirements, or premium charges.
This issue can be remedied by the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme that offers government insurance coverage irrespective of one’s income.
Conclusion
The Ayushman Bharat 70+ Senior Citizens Card is one of the biggest healthcare schemes for senior Indian citizens. Through this healthcare scheme, senior citizens get covered in the amount of ₹5 lakhs per year under cashless hospitalization, which helps them save on healthcare costs.
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