5 Million Seniors Benefit from Free Health Insurance: Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card Now Available!

The Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card offers free health insurance for senior citizens aged 70 and above, covering up to Rs 5 lakh in medical treatment. Enrollment is easy through the Ayushman app or official portal, requiring only Aadhaar authentication. The scheme aims to provide healthcare to 6 crore senior citizens across India.

CONTENTS:

• Ayushman cards distributed to seniors.
• Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card launched.
• Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card enrollment.

5 Million Seniors Benefit from Free Health Insurance: Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card Now Available!

Ayushman cards distributed to seniors

5 Million Seniors Benefit from Free Health Insurance A special camp to create Ayushman cards for senior citizens aged 70 and above was held on Thursday at the SSPG Divisional Hospital in Kabirchaura, Varanasi. Former minister and South City MLA Neelkanth Tiwari distributed the cards to the beneficiaries, highlighting that the scheme provides free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh at any registered hospital. Tiwari personally created a card for Awadhesh Kumar Singh from Virdopur using his mobile phone and encouraged others to do the same. To qualify for the scheme, individuals must be 70 or older and have an Aadhaar card.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sandeep Chaudhary mentioned that similar camps would be held in the future to benefit more elderly people. He also informed that Android users can download the Ayushman app from the Play Store, while iPhone users can access it via the HSTP website. Seniors can register for the Ayushman cards through the app or with help from Ayushman Mitra, public service centers, Panchayat assistants, and various health workers.

Dr. S.S. Kanaujia, Additional Chief Medical Officer and Nodal Officer, stated that 85 Ayushman cards were created for seniors during this camp, with 756 cards issued district-wide. Aadhaar-based e-KYC will be mandatory for issuing Ayushman cards to eligible senior citizens. Additionally, senior citizens aged 70 and above in families already covered under AB PM-JAY will receive an extra top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year.

Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card launched

5 Million Seniors Benefit from Free Health Insurance The Ayushman Vaya Vandana (AVV) Card, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, provides free health insurance for senior citizens aged 70 and above. This is an extension of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), and it offers beneficiaries free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh at both public and private hospitals, with no income restrictions.

Key benefits of the AVV card include:

– Free Hospital Treatment: Senior citizens can access cashless hospitalization for essential medical care, relieving them from the financial burden of healthcare.

– Universal Eligibility: All senior citizens aged 70 or above, regardless of income, are eligible for this coverage.

– Family Coverage: If multiple elderly individuals live in the same household, they can all benefit from the Rs 5 lakh coverage.

– Comprehensive Coverage: The Ayushman Bharat scheme covers over 1,900 medical procedures, including hospitalization, medications, diagnostics, and post-hospitalization costs.

Senior citizens who are already enrolled in other public health insurance schemes like the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or Ayushman CAPF can choose to continue with their existing coverage or opt for AB PM-JAY. As of September 2024, over 35 crore Ayushman cards have been created, and there is no waiting period for accessing treatment.

Enrollment Process: To enroll, beneficiaries can download the Ayushman app from the Google Play Store, authenticate their details using Aadhaar, and complete e-KYC. Once enrolled, they can download the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card.

Experts believe the AVV card is highly beneficial for seniors who may not have personal health insurance due to age or health conditions. It offers essential healthcare services and can supplement existing insurance for additional coverage. However, there are some limitations, such as the restricted network of empanelled hospitals and limited control over the policy terms, making it less customizable compared to personal health insurance plans.

The Indian health insurance market is growing rapidly, and this initiative will help 4.5 crore families and 6 crore senior citizens who are eligible for the AVV card.

Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card enrollment

5 Million Seniors Benefit from Free Health Insurance The Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card offers free health insurance for all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income. Under this scheme, beneficiaries are eligible for free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh at both public and private hospitals. The scheme has been introduced as part of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance initiative, and it covers approximately 6 crore senior citizens from 4.5 crore families in India.

To enroll for the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card, follow these steps:

Via the Mobile App:

1. Download the Ayushman app from the Google Play Store.

2. Click on “Login as beneficiary.”

3. Enter the captcha and mobile number, then authenticate.

4. Provide Aadhaar details and complete e-KYC if required.

5. Submit additional application details, including the mobile number and OTP.

6. After successful submission, you can download the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card after approval.

Via the Official Portal:

1. Visit the National Health Authority (NHA) website at beneficiary.nha.gov.in.

2. Enter captcha and mobile number to log in.

3. Click on the banner to enroll for senior citizens over 70 years old.

4. Follow the instructions to complete Aadhaar authentication and e-KYC.

5. Provide necessary details about the beneficiary and family members.

6. After approval, you can download the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card.

Once enrolled, beneficiaries can start receiving treatment immediately, with no waiting period for any disease or medical treatment. The only eligibility requirement is being 70 years or older, with Aadhaar as the sole document needed for enrollment.

The scheme is open to all, with no income limits, and aims to provide free healthcare to senior citizens across India.