Support for Older Citizens and the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Scheme play a crucial role in ensuring that older individuals receive the healthcare they need. This initiative specifically targets citizens aged 70 and above, providing them with a unique AB PM-JAY card that facilitates access to essential medical services. The Support for Older Citizens & AB PM-JAY Scheme not only offers financial support, including an annual top-up of Rs 5 lakh for eligible families, but also aims to address the systemic challenges faced by older citizens in accessing these benefits. By improving the framework of this program, we can ensure that no elder is left behind in receiving necessary medical attention.
Key Takeaways
- The Support for Older Citizens & AB PM-JAY Scheme provides essential healthcare for those aged 70 and above, with a unique AB PM-JAY card facilitating access.
- The scheme offers significant financial support, including an annual top-up of Rs 5 lakh for eligible families, aimed at improving elderly healthcare access.
- An urgent appeal highlights challenges faced by older citizens, like Vidya Devi, in obtaining benefits from the AB PM-JAY Scheme.
- Improving the framework of the Support for Older Citizens & AB PM-JAY Scheme is crucial for ensuring no elder is left without necessary medical care.
- A swift resolution of grievances is vital to uphold the rights of older citizens and ensure they receive timely healthcare under the scheme.
Ayushman Bharat Prime Minister Jan Arogya Yojana
Why is the AB-PMJAY scheme unavailable to 78-year-old Vidya Devi, currently in the ICU at Ramakrishna Sevashram Hospital, a multispecialty facility?
The government issues a unique AB PM-JAY card to every eligible citizen aged 70 or older. As a result, more older citizens can easily access healthcare services.
Older citizens in AB PM-JAY families also receive an extra Rs 5 lakh top-up annually. Importantly, this benefit is exclusive to those aged 70 or above, so younger family members do not share it. Consequently, elders get the maximum financial support.
🏥 Urgent Appeal for Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Benefits for Older Citizens in Mirzapur
This post outlines an older citizen’s challenge accessing Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY benefits, a scheme for those aged 70+.
This post highlights the challenges elders face when they try to obtain the scheme’s intended benefits. Furthermore, many older citizens encounter similar difficulties across the country.
The grievance underscores the urgent need for systematic improvements to the Support for Older Citizens & AB PM-JAY Scheme. Furthermore, these improvements will help ensure that no older person is left behind. In turn, elders can receive essential medical attention without bearing exorbitant costs.
Grievance Summary and Background
A grievance was filed on June 4, 2025, for immediate free treatment for an older citizen under the health scheme.
Complainant and Patient Details
| Grievance Reg. No. | DHLTH/E/2025/0012307 |
| Complainant | Yogi M. P. Singh (Son of the patient) |
| Ministry Concerned | Health & Family Welfare |
| Scheme Mentioned | Health Schemes >> Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna |
| Patient Name | Vidya Devi |
| DOB / Age (at time of complaint) | 01/01/1950 (Approx. 75 years old) |
| Aadhaar No. | 7124 5142 7518 |
| Patient Address | Village Neevi Gaharwar, Post Neevi Gaharwar, Bijaipur, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, 231303 |
The Special Provision Cited (Support for Older Citizens & AB PM-JAY Scheme)
The grievance explicitly references a specific provision of AB PM-JAY:
The scheme qualifies citizens aged 70 or above for a separate Ayushman Vay Vandana card, allowing them free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year. Therefore, more seniors receive the care they deserve.
Current Medical Situation and Financial Hardship
Vidya Devi is admitted to Ramakrishna Sevashram Hospital, Mirzapur.
- Hospital: Ramakrishna Sevashram Hospital, Vindhyachal Road, Ojha, Mirzapur.
- Urgency: Doctors recently moved the patient to the ICU. As a result, her condition requires immediate attention.
- Financial distress: All three sons are unemployed, and Rs 18,000 has already been spent.
The Core Request and Call for Action (Support for Older Citizens & AB PM-JAY Scheme)
The applicant urgently requests that authorities immediately ensure Vidya Devi, an ICU patient in financial distress, receives free treatment under the AB PM-JAY scheme as per her entitlement.
- Primary Request: Ensure medical assistance and conduct an inquiry under Article 51A of the Constitution of India to uphold Vidya Devi’s health rights.
- Action Sought: Direct Ramakrishna Sevashram Hospital, registered under the scheme, to provide Vidya Devi with free treatment urgently under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. Immediate action is needed to avoid delay.
- An Ayushman scheme office is located at the hospital and must ensure that older citizens receive benefits.
Official Status and Contact Information
As of now, the grievance is under process.
| Current Status | Under process |
| Date of Action | 04/06/2025 |
| Officer Concerned | Ms. Hemlata Singh (Under Secretary) |
| Organization | RSBY (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, often a component or reference point for schemes like AB PM-JAY) |
| Contact Address | Room No. 757-A Wing, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi. |
| Email Address | hemlata.singh82@gov.in |
| Contact Number | 23061778 |
🙏 Conclusion: Hope for Swift Resolution (Support for Older Citizens & AB PM-JAY Scheme)
This case demonstrates the importance of government health schemes, such as the Support for Older Citizens & AB PM-JAY, for vulnerable older citizens facing health and financial challenges.
A quick resolution is vital to ensure timely care and uphold the scheme’s intent.
This situation underscores the ongoing need to improve schemes such as Support for Older Citizens & AB PM-JAY so older people can access quality care without financial strain.
Do you want to check the hospital’s AB PM-JAY registration or view the official government notice on the Ayushman Vay Vandana card for those 70+?
Ayushman Bharat Yojana
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY has given free health coverage to low-income citizens and all citizens 70+ since September 2018.
Ramakrishna Sevashram Hospital is denying free treatment to disabled Ayushman. (Support for Older Citizens & AB PM-JAY Scheme)
Card holder Pankaj Kumar, despite PMO intervention. The hospital promised him free care at any facility.
However, issues persist: doctors charged Rs. 40,000 for a repeated procedure, and hospitals often mistreat Ayushman cardholders, especially concerning their card status.


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