ABPM-JAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Health/Gov. policies for vulnerable sections)

Context: The Union Cabinet has approved health coverage of ₹5 lakh for all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income, under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)

• About: It is also known as Jan Arogya Abhiyaan, or the National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) or Modicare.

oThis initiatives has been created with the goal of aligning with SDG principles, which is “leave no one behind”.

• Ministry:  Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• Implementing Agency: National Health Authority (NHA)
• Aim: To make significant changes in healthcare by addressing all aspects of health (like prevention, promotion, and outpatient care) across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
• Launched under: National Health Policy 2017
• Funding: Centrally Sponsored Scheme  (expenditure incurred in premium payment will be shared between Central and State governments).
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): It was introduced in 2021 with the aim of issuing Unique Digital Health IDs (UHID) to every Indian citizen. 

oThis initiative facilitates electronic access to health records for hospitals, insurance companies, and citizens as needed.

• Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs.: Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) is an account/ number used to link all the health records of a person. 

Eligibility of Government's Free Health Insurance

• Senior citizens aged 70 and above will receive a distinct card under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) for healthcare coverage.
• Those already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up of ₹5 lakh per annum specifically for senior citizens in their families.
• Senior citizens who are already getting benets of other public health insurance schemes such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), and Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) may either choose their existing scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY.