All eligible senior citizens covered under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY) will be issued a new, distinct card under the scheme.

Official sources informed that anyone aged 70 or above, as per their Aadhaar card, will be eligible to apply for the scheme. The scheme is expected to be operational within a week. It is an application-based scheme, and people need to register on the portal. The portal will offer face authentication and will have a designated link for senior citizens above 70 years of age. Sources also mentioned that those with private insurance and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) beneficiaries can also apply for the AB PMJAY scheme.

The Union Cabinet approved health coverage for all senior citizens above 70 years on Wednesday, irrespective of income, under the AB PMJAY, with an outlay of 3,437 crore rupees. This initiative will cover approximately 4.5 crore families in the country and include about 6 crore senior citizens.