Expanding AB-PMJAY For the Elderly: A Policy Shift Toward Universal Health Coverage in India

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is India's flagship health insurance scheme with the aim of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). With its recent expansion to all senior citizens above the age of 70, the scheme will have a greater impact on elderly health care and financ...

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Main Authors: Kiruba Sankar G, Rajalakshmi Mahendran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Medsci Publications 2025-06-01
Series:National Journal of Community Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/5287
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author Kiruba Sankar G
Rajalakshmi Mahendran
author_facet Kiruba Sankar G
Rajalakshmi Mahendran
author_sort Kiruba Sankar G
collection DOAJ
description Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is India's flagship health insurance scheme with the aim of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). With its recent expansion to all senior citizens above the age of 70, the scheme will have a greater impact on elderly health care and financial security. This review examines the effect of AB-PMJAY on access to healthcare, catastrophic health expenditure (CHE), and the infrastructure for geriatric care in India. The elderly population normally suffers from not only a high burden of non-communicable diseases but also several chronic health issues along with financial instability arising from low-income sources. The pool of reserves traditionally used to provide up to ₹5 lakh per person is expected to reduce out-of-pocket health expenses, increased hospital utilization, and improves overall health outcomes; however, issues relating to access, enrolment difficulties, lack of hospital infrastructure, and financial sustainability still linger. For policymakers, recommendations must be made in relation to improving enrolment processes, strengthening geriatric services, and being on guard against fraud, all in an effort to ensure the effectiveness of the scheme. Targeting these will be critical in enabling equitable access to healthcare and financial protection for the rapidly growing elderly population in India.
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spelling doaj-art-bc817889d7ef41a2a2f6540c95077dc92025-08-20T03:24:43ZengMedsci PublicationsNational Journal of Community Medicine0976-33252229-68162025-06-01160610.55489/njcm.160620255287Expanding AB-PMJAY For the Elderly: A Policy Shift Toward Universal Health Coverage in IndiaKiruba Sankar G0Rajalakshmi Mahendran1Department of Community Medicine, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College, Puducherry, IndiaDepartment of Community Medicine, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College, Puducherry, India Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is India's flagship health insurance scheme with the aim of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). With its recent expansion to all senior citizens above the age of 70, the scheme will have a greater impact on elderly health care and financial security. This review examines the effect of AB-PMJAY on access to healthcare, catastrophic health expenditure (CHE), and the infrastructure for geriatric care in India. The elderly population normally suffers from not only a high burden of non-communicable diseases but also several chronic health issues along with financial instability arising from low-income sources. The pool of reserves traditionally used to provide up to ₹5 lakh per person is expected to reduce out-of-pocket health expenses, increased hospital utilization, and improves overall health outcomes; however, issues relating to access, enrolment difficulties, lack of hospital infrastructure, and financial sustainability still linger. For policymakers, recommendations must be made in relation to improving enrolment processes, strengthening geriatric services, and being on guard against fraud, all in an effort to ensure the effectiveness of the scheme. Targeting these will be critical in enabling equitable access to healthcare and financial protection for the rapidly growing elderly population in India. https://www.njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/5287Universal Health CoverageElderly Healthcare in IndiaPreventive Healthcare for ElderlyGeriatric Disease BurdenHealth Insurance for Senior Citizens
spellingShingle Kiruba Sankar G
Rajalakshmi Mahendran
Expanding AB-PMJAY For the Elderly: A Policy Shift Toward Universal Health Coverage in India
National Journal of Community Medicine
Universal Health Coverage
Elderly Healthcare in India
Preventive Healthcare for Elderly
Geriatric Disease Burden
Health Insurance for Senior Citizens
title Expanding AB-PMJAY For the Elderly: A Policy Shift Toward Universal Health Coverage in India
title_full Expanding AB-PMJAY For the Elderly: A Policy Shift Toward Universal Health Coverage in India
title_fullStr Expanding AB-PMJAY For the Elderly: A Policy Shift Toward Universal Health Coverage in India
title_full_unstemmed Expanding AB-PMJAY For the Elderly: A Policy Shift Toward Universal Health Coverage in India
title_short Expanding AB-PMJAY For the Elderly: A Policy Shift Toward Universal Health Coverage in India
title_sort expanding ab pmjay for the elderly a policy shift toward universal health coverage in india
topic Universal Health Coverage
Elderly Healthcare in India
Preventive Healthcare for Elderly
Geriatric Disease Burden
Health Insurance for Senior Citizens
url https://www.njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/5287
work_keys_str_mv AT kirubasankarg expandingabpmjayfortheelderlyapolicyshifttowarduniversalhealthcoverageinindia
AT rajalakshmimahendran expandingabpmjayfortheelderlyapolicyshifttowarduniversalhealthcoverageinindia