India’s healthcare sector has seen a remarkable transformation in recent years, especially for senior citizens who often face rising medical expenses. To ensure that elderly citizens receive quality medical treatment without financial burden, the government has launched the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card — a special extension of the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
This initiative provides cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year to citizens aged 70 and above, enabling them to receive free treatment in both government and private hospitals across the country.
Introduced in 2024, the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card is a part of the government’s ongoing effort to strengthen healthcare access for the elderly. The card offers comprehensive, cashless medical coverage to senior citizens, covering expenses such as hospitalization, ICU charges, surgeries, doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, medicines, and even post-discharge care.
A major advantage of this card is its national portability, meaning it can be used at any empaneled hospital anywhere in India, regardless of the applicant’s state of residence. This feature ensures that senior citizens can access treatment seamlessly, whether they are living at home or traveling.
One of the biggest benefits of this scheme is its simple and fully online application process. Eligible citizens can apply through the Ayushman Bharat official website or the Ayushman mobile app.
Here’s how the process works:
Visit the PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) portal or download the Ayushman Bharat app.
Enter your Aadhaar number and complete the e-KYC (electronic verification) process.
Once verified, the card is generated instantly and can be downloaded digitally.
Importantly, applicants don’t need to submit income certificates, property documents, or other paperwork. The goal is to make health coverage quick, accessible, and completely paperless.
If a senior citizen’s family is already covered under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme, they become eligible for an exclusive top-up coverage of ₹5 lakh, in addition to their existing family health cover.
This top-up is individual-specific, meaning it is solely for the elderly member and not shared among family members. The coverage includes:
Doctor’s consultation fees
Diagnostic tests and medical investigations
Hospital stays (including room and nursing charges)
Surgeries and treatment procedures
Medicines and implants
With this extended coverage, the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card ensures that even advanced treatments are accessible without worrying about hospital bills.
The government’s vision behind this initiative is clear — to provide senior citizens with worry-free, high-quality healthcare, regardless of their economic background. By eliminating income-based eligibility and simplifying the process, the scheme guarantees that every Indian aged 70 or above can apply and benefit.
This inclusive approach ensures that elderly citizens — whether retired professionals, pensioners, or those without a steady income — can lead healthier and more secure lives.
Eligibility: All Indian citizens aged 70 years or above
Coverage Limit: ₹5 lakh per year (cashless)
Hospitals Covered: Government and private empaneled hospitals
Application Mode: 100% online (via PM-JAY website or Ayushman app)
Documents Required: Only Aadhaar and e-KYC verification
Availability: Nationally portable across all states
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card represents a significant step toward ensuring universal healthcare for India’s elderly population. With its simple application process, wide coverage network, and cashless benefits, it brings financial security and peace of mind to millions of senior citizens.
If you or a loved one is above 70, this is the perfect time to apply online and secure up to ₹5 lakh in annual cashless health benefits — right from the comfort of your home.
