Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme for elderly to be launched in Kerala this month

Kottayam:  The Central Government's healthcare insurance scheme for senior citizens, Ayushman Bharat, is all set to be launched in Kerala this month. Over 4,00,000 people in the state have already completed their registration. 

The delay in implementation was primarily due to uncertainties around the Central Government’s allocated funding. However, according to official sources, under the PM-JAY model, a premium of Rs 1,552 will be calculated, of which the central share will constitute 60 percent. Hospitals currently empanelled under the state's Karunya scheme will also participate in Ayushman Bharat.

Over 4 lakh registered so far

Authorities clarified that reports suggesting Kerala’s withdrawal from the scheme due to financial constraints are incorrect. They noted that states with state-level insurance schemes, like Tamil Nadu, are in earlier stages of Ayushman Bharat implementation compared to Kerala.

The scheme

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is a health insurance scheme that provides financial protection for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. It is the world's largest health insurance scheme, covering over 55 crore people in India.