About Ayushman Vay Vandana Initiative:
- It was launched in 2024.
- It extends the benefits of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to elderly citizens,
- It aims to improve access to healthcare and reduce the financial burden of hospitalisation.
- It is implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- Features:
- Under the initiative, all citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible for health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
- Senior citizens belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY receive an additional top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh annually, exclusively for themselves.
- This coverage is separate from the existing family cover available to members below 70 years of age.
