Budget 2024: Govt Plans to Double AB-PMJAY Beneficiaries & Insurance Coverage in 3 Yrs

This aligns with the government's recent initiative to include citizens aged 70 and above in the scheme and raise the annual insurance coverage to INR 10 Lakh.

The government is considering a significant expansion of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, aiming to double the number of beneficiaries within the next three years.

This aligns with the government's recent initiative to include citizens aged 70 and above in the scheme and raise the annual insurance coverage to INR 10 Lakh.

If these proposals are approved, the National Health Authority (NHA) estimates an additional annual expenditure of INR 12,076 Cr, PTI report said.

"Discussions are happening to double the beneficiary base under the AB-PMJAY over the next three years, which, if implemented, will cover more than two-third population of the country with health cover. Deliberations are also underway over finalizing a proposal to double the limit of the coverage amount from the existing Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh,’’ one official told PTI.

Health Insurance & Budget Allocations

With the budget presentation approaching, scheduled for July 23, it is anticipated that these proposals, or at least portions of them, will be announced in the Union Budget.

Earlier, in the interim Budget 2024, the government increased the allocation for the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

AB-PMJAY provided health cover of INR 5 Lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 12 Cr families which was increased to INR 7,200 Cr while INR 646 Cr was assigned for the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).

During her address to the joint session of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu announced that all elderly citizens above 70 years of age will now be covered under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, providing them with the benefit of free treatment.

According to sources, this extension will add approximately 40 to 50 million more beneficiaries to the scheme.

Further, the INR 5 lakh limit for AB-PMJAY was announced in 2018. Doubling this coverage amount sought to address inflation and offer relief for families.

Additionally, President Murmu noted the rapid establishment of 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country, which aim to provide affordable medicines to the public.

Last year, President Murmu officially launched the 'Ayushman Bhavah' campaign. The scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is a comprehensive nationwide healthcare program with the goal of providing extensive healthcare services to every village and town across India.

This initiative aligns with the vision of creating 'Healthy Villages' and 'Healthy Gram Panchayats,' laying the foundation for achieving Universal Health Coverage throughout the country.