All aged 70 yrs brought under Rs 5L health scheme

The Rs 5 lakh free health insurance cover would benefit senior citizens of around 4.5 crore families. 

Eligible beneficiaries would be issued a new distinct card under the scheme, the government said. 

"Senior citizens of the age 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover up to Rs 5 lakh per year for themselves (which they do not have to share with the other members of the family who are below the age of 70 years)."  

"All other senior citizens of the age 70 years and above will get a cover up to Rs 5 lakh per year on a family basis," an official statement said. 

It clarified that senior citizens of 70 years and above who are under private health insurance policies or Employees' State Insurance scheme will be eligible to avail benefits under the the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. -- PTI