- Ayushman Bharat Yojana now covers all citizens aged 70 and above with up to 7 lakh yearly treatment benefits.
- Ayushman Vay Vandana cards offer portability and access to over 31,000 empanelled hospitals nationwide.
- Thalassemia patients get better support through the National Health Mission including financial help for bone marrow transplants under Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana.
Ayushman Bharat Yojana, also called the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), has been expanded to help all senior citizens aged 70 years and above. This recent step by the government improves healthcare access and treatment benefits, especially focusing on older people regardless of their financial background. By introducing schemes like Ayushman Vay Vandana cards, the program aims to provide quality health services and financial support to eligible citizens. The scheme details are also supported by specific efforts under the National Health Mission for patients with Thalassemia.
Expanded Coverage of Ayushman Bharat for Senior Citizens
Since October 29, 2024, every Indian citizen aged 70 and above gets an annual treatment benefit of up to 7 lakh through the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. This means that senior citizens across India, no matter their background, can get free or subsidized medical treatment up to this limit each year.
Features and Benefits of Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards
To make it easier for senior citizens to use these treatment benefits, the Ayushman Vay Vandana cards have been introduced. These cards are portable, allowing holders to get healthcare services from any of the 31,466 empanelled hospitals across the country, whether public or private. This means patients can get admission and treatment no matter where they are.
Role of Empanelled Hospitals and Service Standards
The network includes 14,194 private hospitals as well as public ones, all empanelled under AB-PMJAY. The National Health Authority (NHA) keeps service quality high through strict Hospital Empanelment and Management (HEM) guidelines. These rules make sure of good service and trustworthy healthcare delivery. Since the start of the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme, more than 1.06 lakh claims have been processed successfully.
Thalassemia Support Initiatives under National Health Mission
The scheme also focuses on health issues like thalassemia, a blood disorder affecting many people, including children. As of July 2025, 4,361 thalassemia patients are registered on the national Sickle Cell Portal, with 2,579 of them under 12 years old. A new thalassemia module added in 2023 helps better tracking and monitoring of patients, making it easier for states to manage treatment effectively.
Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana and Bone Marrow Transplant Support
State and UT governments take the lead in managing thalassemia, but the National Health Mission supports key infrastructure like blood banks, medicines, labs, and training for healthcare workers through their Programme Implementation Plans.
One important scheme is the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY), run in partnership with Coal India Limited. This plan offers financial support of up to 7 lakh for bone marrow transplants in 17 empanelled hospitals, funded by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) resources from Coal India. This has been very helpful for many families looking for advanced treatment options.
These combined efforts under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana make sure there is broad healthcare coverage for seniors and also specialized care for at-risk groups like thalassemia patients. You can visit the official National Health Authority website at pmjay.gov.in for complete application details and hospital lists.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective Date of Expanded Coverage | October 29, 2024 |
| Maximum Annual Treatment Benefit | 7 lakh |
| Number of Empanelled Hospitals | 31,466 (14,194 private) |
| Number of Thalassemia Patients Registered (July 2025) | 4,361 |
| Financial Support for Bone Marrow Transplant (TBSY) | 7 lakh |
| Official Scheme Website | pmjay.gov.in |
With these updates, senior citizens and patients with special health needs can feel more secure knowing that full, easy healthcare is available. Stay informed and help eligible seniors near you to fully benefit from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.