Health Ministry Tackles Hurdles in Senior Citizens' Registrations Under AB-PMJAY

A senior Health Ministry official emphasized that efforts are being made to ensure a smooth registration process for senior citizens, particularly those enrolling for the first time.

The Union Health Ministry is addressing potential technical challenges that senior citizens might face when registering for the expanded Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

The scheme, which was launched in September, provides free health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income level. The expansion aims to benefit 4.5 Cr families, including 6 Cr senior citizens across India.

A senior Health Ministry official emphasized that efforts are being made to ensure a smooth registration process for senior citizens, particularly those enrolling for the first time.

"We are working to make sure that the new entrants and those already covered by the scheme can register without any difficulties," the official said.

Reportedly, grassroots healthcare workers will assist with the registration, ensuring that elderly citizens receive the support they need to access the scheme.

The official also clarified that senior citizens currently benefiting from other public health insurance schemes, such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), and Ayushman Central Armed Police Forces (Ayushman CAPF), have the option to either stay with their existing schemes or switch to AB-PMJAY.

Additionally, those with private health insurance or coverage under the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme can avail of the benefits of the expanded AB-PMJAY.

Rising Elderly Population

A paper released by NITI Aayog, titled ‘Senior Care Reforms in India’, highlights the rapid growth of India's elderly population, coupled with a declining fertility rate (currently below 2.0) and an increasing life expectancy (now over 70 years).

Currently, senior citizens make up just over 10% of India’s population, amounting to approximately 104 million people. By 2050, this proportion is projected to rise to 19.5%, presenting significant challenges for healthcare and social protection systems.

According to the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India 2021, a national survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 75% of elderly people in India suffer from one or more chronic diseases.

Additionally, 24% experience at least one limitation in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and 48% report limitations in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL).

Moreover, 32% of the elderly population experiences low life satisfaction and one in three reports depressive symptoms.

Despite the growing needs of the elderly population, only 18% are covered by health insurance, 28% are aware of concessions available for senior citizens, and 24% report difficulties in providing documentation to access services.

The study also revealed that 70% of elderly citizens depend on others for daily needs, and 78% lack pension coverage, further underscoring the importance of expanding healthcare access for this vulnerable segment of the population.

AB-PMJAY Expansion & Government Initiatives

The AB-PMJAY scheme has been progressively expanded since its launch. Initially, it covered 10.74 Cr poor and vulnerable families, which represented the bottom 40% of India's population.

In January 2022, the Central government revised the beneficiary base to include 12 Cr families, taking into account the country's 11.7% decadal population growth based on the 2011 Census.

The scheme was further expanded to cover 37 Lakh ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists), Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs), along with their families, providing them with free healthcare benefits.

The Health Ministry continues to work on increasing the reach of the scheme, ensuring more citizens, particularly vulnerable and elderly populations, have access to essential healthcare services.

Stay tuned for more such updates on Digital Health News.