How has the Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme Settled Over 1.06 Lakh Claims?
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Synopsis
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme has made significant strides, settling over 1.06 lakh claims for eligible senior citizens. With a focus on equitable healthcare access, it provides substantial treatment benefits and enhances the healthcare infrastructure in the country.
Key Takeaways
- 1.06 lakh claims settled under the scheme.
- Free treatment benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh annually.
- 75.41 lakh Ayushman Vay Vandana cards issued.
- Access to healthcare at 31,466 empanelled hospitals.
- Strengthening healthcare infrastructure through PM-ABHIM.
New Delhi, July 29 (NationPress) Over 1.06 lakh claims have been successfully settled under the Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme, as announced by Prataprao Jadhav, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, on Tuesday.
In October 2024, the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) was broadened to encompass all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their socio-economic background.
This initiative allows beneficiaries to access free treatment benefits amounting to up to Rs 5 lakh annually through Ayushman Vay Vandana cards.
“Currently, a total of over 1.06 lakh claims have been resolved since the scheme's inception,” Jadhav stated.
“To date, 75.41 lakh Ayushman Vay Vandana cards have been issued, with 32.3 lakh cards being allocated specifically for female beneficiaries,” he added.
Moreover, the portability feature of AB-PMJAY allows eligible individuals—including those enrolled in the Vay Vandana scheme—to utilize healthcare services at any of the 31,466 empanelled hospitals across the nation, regardless of their residence.
“This guarantees seamless and fair access to quality healthcare for the elderly population throughout the country,” the Minister of State emphasized.
“Beneficiaries of the Vay Vandana scheme can also receive treatment from a wide network of 14,194 private healthcare providers partnered with the scheme,” he noted.
To maintain quality and consistency in service delivery, the National Health Authority (NHA) has implemented comprehensive Hospital Empanelment and Management (HEM) Guidelines for hospital empanelment under AB-PMJAY.
The AB-PMJAY has emerged as one of the world’s largest publicly funded health insurance initiatives. It has facilitated 8.59 crore hospital admissions valued at Rs 1,19,858 crore, ensuring access to secondary and tertiary care without incurring debt for families, according to an official government statement.
Meanwhile, Jadhav shared measures taken to enhance district-level health systems, such as the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
“PM-ABHIM has been launched with an allocation of Rs 64,180 crore over five years (FY 2021-26). The mission aims to bolster the capacities of health systems across all levels—primary, secondary, and tertiary care—to ensure effective responses to current and future pandemics and disasters,” the Minister remarked.
Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) components of PM-ABHIM, provisions have been made to support the establishment of 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs) with 50/100 beds in districts with populations exceeding 5 lakh during the scheme period from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26, including ICU beds, he noted.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the transformative impact of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme on senior citizens' healthcare access. This initiative not only settles claims efficiently but also reflects the government's dedication to improving public health infrastructure, ensuring equitable access to essential services for the elderly population across the nation.
NationPress
30/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme?
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme is a healthcare initiative that provides free treatment benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh annually for senior citizens aged 70 and above under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
How many claims have been settled under the scheme?
As of now, over 1.06 lakh claims have been settled since the launch of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme.
What are the eligibility criteria for the scheme?
The scheme is available to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
How can beneficiaries access healthcare services?
Beneficiaries can access healthcare services at over 31,466 empanelled hospitals across the country, regardless of their place of residence.
What is the significance of the scheme?
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme is significant as it ensures equitable healthcare access for the elderly population, preventing financial distress due to healthcare costs.
