Citizens Above 70 Can Avail Free Medical Treatment Up to ₹5 Lakh Per Year; Apply Easily via This App

Access to quality healthcare is no longer out of reach for India’s senior citizens. In a significant move aimed at easing the medical burden of the elderly, the Government of India has launched the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, offering free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year for citizens aged 70 and above. The scheme is a dedicated extension under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and is designed to remove both financial and bureaucratic hurdles from the path of critical care for seniors.

What Makes This Scheme Unique?

The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card is tailored specifically for India’s elderly population and provides:

• Cashless treatment up to ₹5,00,000 annually
• Access to over 30,000 empanelled hospitals, including 13,000+ private ones
• Coverage for 1,961 medical conditions and procedures
• No income proof or financial eligibility required
• Immediate benefits, even for pre-existing illnesses
• Inclusion for seniors already enrolled in other schemes, with the option to choose one at the time of treatment

This means seniors suffering from common age-related issues like heart disease, joint problems, or cataracts can receive immediate treatment without delay or documentation hassles.

Already Covered Under Ayushman Bharat or Other Schemes?

If you’re already part of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, there’s more good news—senior citizens in your family can still receive an additional ₹5 lakh coverage under the Vay Vandana plan. The scheme also welcomes applicants who are covered under other health insurance plans like CGHS, ECHS, or private policies. However, only one scheme can be used per treatment episode.

How to Apply Using the Ayushman App

Applying for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card is simple and fully digital. Here’s how you can do it in minutes from your phone:

Step-by-Step Application Guide:

1. Download the Ayushman App
   • Available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store
2. Log in as a Beneficiary
   • Choose “Beneficiary”
   • Enter your mobile number and verify with OTP
3. Allow Location Access
   • Helps identify nearby healthcare facilities
4. Enter Aadhaar Details for e-KYC
   • Aadhaar is mandatory
   • If Aadhaar shows only the year of birth, the system will assume January 1 of the next year
5. Complete e-KYC Verification
   • Use OTP for consent if your name isn’t auto-filled
6. Fill Declaration Form
   • Include caste category, PIN code, and mobile number
7. Add Other Eligible Members
   • Use “Add Member” feature to include other 70+ family members without creating a new application
8. Submit and Download Card
   • Approval usually takes 15–20 minutes
   • The card can be downloaded directly from the app once issued

Rapid Adoption Across India

Since its launch on October 29, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ayushman Vay Vandana initiative has gained remarkable traction:

• Over 25 lakh senior citizens registered by December 2024
• Treatments worth ₹400 crore availed by 22,000+ patients
• Major surgeries like heart operations, hip replacements, and stroke care have already been provided under the scheme

The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card marks a transformative step in senior citizen healthcare—ensuring that age is no longer a barrier to treatment, and dignity in care remains a priority.