Latest news with #AyushmanBharat-PMJAY
News18
26-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Ayushman Card: 70+ Senior Citizens Can Now Get Rs 5 Lakh Free Medical Cover Via App; How To Apply?
Last Updated: The central government has simplified access to free medical treatment worth Rs 5 lakh per year for senior citizens aged 70 and above under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY. In a significant step toward universal healthcare, the central government has simplified the process for senior citizens aged 70 years and above to access free medical treatment worth Rs 5 lakh per year. As part of the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card can now be applied for directly through the Ayushman App, making high-quality healthcare more accessible to India's elderly population. What Is Ayushman Vay Vandana Card? The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card is a special health ID card under the flagship Ayushman Bharat scheme. It aims to provide comprehensive free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh annually per family at empanelled public and private hospitals across India. This initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, is the world's largest government-funded health assurance scheme, covering over 55 crore people, or nearly 40 per cent of India's vulnerable population. 'Senior citizens aged 70 and above can now get their Ayushman Vay Vandana Card through the Ayushman App and access Rs 5 lakh of free treatment. Watch this video to learn how to create Ayushman Vay Vandana Card and unlock essential healthcare benefits," the Ministry of Health said in a post on X on May 25, 2025. From October 29, 2024, all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income or social background, have become eligible for this benefit, marking a historic expansion of the scheme. Why This Matters Healthcare costs are a major burden for senior citizens, especially those without regular income or insurance. By simplifying the application process and expanding coverage, this move enhances Ease of Access, Affordability, and Assurance — the three pillars of Ayushman Bharat. As per government data, a total of 65,97,096 applications have been received. Out of this, 64,96,101 have already been approved. While 96,203 are pending, a total of 4,792 applications have been rejected for various reasons. A total of 434 cards have been distributed. States with the highest number of applications include Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh. Who Can Apply? Note: Income is not a barrier. Even if you are not from the Economically Weaker Section, you are still eligible as long as you are 70 or older. Documents Needed How to Apply for Ayushman Vay Vandana Card? You can apply through two simple ways: via mobile app or the official website. Apply via Ayushman App (Mobile Method) Download the Ayushman App from Google Play Store. Open the app and log in as Beneficiary. Enter your mobile number and captcha, then verify via OTP. Select 'Enrollment for 70+'. Enter Aadhaar details, complete e-KYC. Fill in the required details and upload a photo. Submit the form. Your Ayushman Card will be available for download within minutes. Apply via Official Website Visit the Ayushman Bharat website. Enter your mobile number and captcha, log in via OTP. Click the 'Enrollment for Senior Citizens (70+)' banner. Enter Aadhaar number – complete e-KYC via OTP/biometrics. Fill in details, give consent, upload a live photo. Submit the form. Card will be ready to download in 15-20 minutes. Need Help? If you face issues while applying, call the toll-free helplines: 14555 1800-11-0770 Available 24×7 across India. Why You Should Apply Now This card can save lakhs in medical bills. Whether it's heart surgery, dialysis, cancer treatment, or any other critical care, being enrolled in PM-JAY ensures senior citizens receive timely treatment without financial stress. Given the high number of pending applications and limited card distribution so far, it is recommended to apply early and secure your healthcare coverage. Stay updated with all the latest business news, including market trends, stock updates, tax, IPO, banking finance, real estate, savings and investments. Get in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and real-time updates—only on News18. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Ayushman Bharat Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 26, 2025, 11:22 IST News business » economy Ayushman Card: 70+ Senior Citizens Can Now Get Rs 5 Lakh Free Medical Cover Via App; How To Apply?
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Can't decline patients under PM-JAY: Odisha government to private hospitals
BHUBANESWAR: A day after private hospitals expressed their reluctance to accept the low package rates and other unrealistic paraphernalia for settlement of bills under the newly-launched Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY), the government on Tuesday issued a stern warning to empanelled private hospitals directing them not to deny treatment to any eligible patient. Health and Family Welfare minister Mukesh Mahaling cautioned that any negligence or refusal of care to Ayushman cardholders would attract strict legal action. The warning came amid ongoing tension between the state government and private hospitals over issues ranging from technical glitches to unsustainable treatment package rates. Several hospitals have reportedly expressed their inability to conduct certain procedures due to what they describe as 'very low-value' under the health scheme, making it impossible for them to maintain the treatment quality. Mahaling, however, clarified that the technical bottlenecks in the current system flagged by the hospitals, especially Aadhaar-based OTP authentication related to PAN-India card integration, and OTP verification are being reviewed for active resolution. On the demands to increase treatment package rates, the minister said, the matter is also being looked into. The state government is examining feedback from various stakeholders, including patients and hospitals, and verifying the cost of treatment under the scheme in other states to come up with a solution that is acceptable to all, he said. The All Odisha Private Medical Establishments Forum (AOPMEF) has raised several problems warning that the current design of the scheme is financially unviable. Stating that the package rates are at least 15 to 20 per cent less than the previous BSKY scheme, the forum demanded a minimum 30 per cent hike, citing inflation and increasing operational costs. Forum secretary Dr Indramani Jena said pricing for implants, including Rs 75,000 for pacemakers and Rs 10,000 for spine implants, is unsustainable. While the packages for ortho surgeries, knee replacement and neurological procedures are down by over 15 per cent, Rs 70,300 is being offered for spinal surgery instead of the old rate of Rs 84,000. For a teflon mesh, only Rs 800 allotted for its minimum price of Rs 1,700, he pointed out. Amid allegations that many beneficiaries are yet to get health cards, Mahaling informed eligible people possessing ration cards with Aadhaar authentication are automatically included. 'They can produce the cards as proof of eligibility, or simply show their Aadhaar card to check eligibility at the hospitals until they are provided cards. The state has also used e-KYC drives to onboard more beneficiaries and is working on mechanisms to include those still outside the system,' Mahaling added.
New Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Private hospitals demand higher package rates under AB PM-JAY, GJAY
BHUBANESWAR : The All Odisha Private Medical Establishment Forum (AOPMEF) has expressed serious concerns over the technical glitches, impractical pricing structures and operational hurdles that threaten the viability of private healthcare services after implementation of Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) scheme in the state. In a detailed representation to Health minister Mukesh Mahaling, the AOPMEF flagged issues including package pricing, operational challenges and software or IT-related difficulties, seeking his intervention to resolve them. The forum has demanded a minimum of 30 pc increase in package rates over the previous scheme BSKY, stating that the current pricing fails to account for inflation and is financially unsustainable. The private establishments pointed out that high-cost procedures like cardiotocography (CTG) for lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) have been capped under low-value package (Rs 15,000), making it unfeasible which will compromise service quality. AOPMEF secretary Dr Indramani Jena urged for a revision in implant pricing and a return to editable options. Currently, implant packages like pacemakers are capped at Rs 75,000, and spine implants at Rs 10,000, which he claimed are unsustainable. 'Such rigid pricing structures would directly impact the quality of treatment, especially in critical surgeries. Advanced diagnostics like CT, MRI, PFT, NCV, EMG and FeNO, which are missing, must be included,' he said. Operationally, the hospitals reported disruptive changes in workflow due to round-the-clock Aadhaar-based OTP authentication by medical superintendents, which is completely impractical. The forum suggested delegating certain responsibilities to medical coordinators (Medcos) to improve efficiency. The private hospitals sought relaxation of new discharge requirements including the mandatory submission of medical slips and photographs with patients - practices they said are logistically difficult and administratively taxing. 'Software-related issues further compound the challenges. Lack of realtime card verification, balance-check features, and extremely slow software during peak hours compound the problems. Documents often disappear within seconds post-upload, causing repeated work and potential errors,' said forum president Dr Subrat Jena. Another major concern remains the centralised management of the scheme. AOPMEF argued that since healthcare is a state subject, local officials should be empowered to resolve operational and payment-related issues instead of relying solely on directives from central authorities.
