English
Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY), there is a provision for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card for senior citizens aged 70 years and above, through which eligible elderly persons are provided free and cashless medical treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per year at government and empanelled private hospitals. Through this card, senior citizens are entitled to receive cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year, which is availed during hospitalisation.
This card is important because it provides age based comprehensive health coverage, regardless of an individual’s financial status, whether the person is poor, middle class, or belongs to an economically well off family. For eligibility under the scheme, only the citizen’s age being 70 years or above is required.
This scheme essentially operates as an expansion of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, under which the primary objective is to reduce the burden of treatment for serious illnesses and hospital expenses. Under this provision, a large number of citizens aged 70 years and above in India have registered for this card and have availed its treatment benefits.
What is Ayushman Vay Vandana Card?
Ayushman Vay Vandana Card is a special health card that is issued to senior citizens aged 70 years and above. This card provides them with the right to free treatment of up to ₹5,00,000 per year under the protection of AB-PMJAY. Its main benefit is that the card holder receives cashless treatment during hospitalisation, meaning no money has to be paid from the pocket for treatment at the hospital.
This card is different from the original Ayushman Card and is issued specifically for senior citizens, so that they can receive treatment for serious illnesses and surgeries according to their age without facing any financial burden.
Eligibility
All senior citizens are eligible for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card who:
• Are aged 70 years or above.
• Are Indian citizens.
• Have their age and identity recorded on the Aadhaar card.
Under this scheme, there is no income limit, social status condition, or family financial criteria. This means that any Indian citizen aged 70 years or above can avail the benefits of this card.
Benefits and Coverage
Through the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, senior citizens receive the following key benefits:
• Cashless hospital coverage of ₹5,00,000 per year for treatment.
• This coverage is available in both government and empanelled private hospitals.
• There is no income limit or documentary restriction for availing treatment through the card.
• There is no waiting period under the card, treatment becomes available immediately after the card is issued.
• Treatment for pre existing diseases is also included under this health cover.
This coverage also includes treatment for surgeries, serious illnesses, heart disease, cancer, and other complex health conditions.
How to apply for Ayushman Vay Vandana Card?
The process of making the card is quite simple and accessible:
Are you already an AB-PMJAY beneficiary?
If you are already a PMJAY beneficiary, you can log in to the Ayushman App and directly create the Vay Vandana Card. For more information, watch the video on YouTube.
Visit the nearest empanelled hospital or service centre
You can also visit the nearest PMJAY empanelled hospital and complete the registration process there.
Registration through the online portal
You can visit the official portal https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in and register for the Vay Vandana Card using your Aadhaar details.
Helpline and missed call service
Beneficiaries can also get information and assistance through a missed call. The helpline number 1800 110770 and the toll free number 14555 are available.
For registration, Aadhaar card, mobile number, and valid age related details are required.
How will treatment be provided and where can it be availed?
Once the card is issued:
• You can receive treatment at any PMJAY empanelled hospital, whether government or private.
• At the time of hospital admission, the card is shown and no advance payment is required.
• Payment for the treatment of the card holder is made directly by the government to the hospital.
• This scheme is valid across the country, and treatment can also be availed outside the home state.
Statistics and Achievements
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card scheme has achieved significant milestones within a short period of implementation:
• More than 10 lakh senior citizens have completed registration. (DD News On Air)
• More than 14 lakh cards have already been issued. (Press Information Bureau)
• Thousands of government and private hospitals have been empanelled under the scheme to provide treatment to senior citizens. (Press Information Bureau)
Importance and Impact
This initiative has been designed specifically to bring dignity and health security into the lives of the elderly. Old age is often accompanied by health related issues, and the cost of expensive treatment also becomes a financial burden. This card gives senior citizens the right to receive treatment at their preferred hospital without any expense, which improves their quality of life and provides relief to families from heavy healthcare costs. (Niva Bupa)
Official Links (Useful)
🔗 Ayushman Bharat Beneficiary Portal: https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/
🔗 PMJAY Official Website: https://pmjay.gov.in/
📞 Helpline (Toll Free): 14555
📞 Helpline (Missed Call): 1800 11 0770
