Alappuzha: As part of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), which offers free medical treatment to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, will be excluded from the state’s Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP). 

Under this new arrangement, people who are currently benefiting from KASP’s free medical treatment will lose their eligibility once they are registered under the AB PM-JAY. If a person registers for the central scheme, all members of their family will also be excluded from KASP.

The delay in launching the central scheme is because the state has not received directions from the central government and lacks the required funding share. As a result, the state authorities have directed CSC Digital Seva Centers and Akshaya Centers to refrain from enrolling people in the central scheme. Despite this, some centers have already registered people and issued the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card. 

Under the KASP scheme, senior citizens from economically and socially backward backgrounds can avail free medical treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh per year. There is no restriction on their treatment under the scheme. However, state officials have warned against joining the central scheme without the approval of the state government, citing that members may face complications regarding their coverage.

Patient's plight between State and Central Schemes

Gangadharan, a heart patient from Cherthala Panavally shared his experience. Two weeks ago, Gangadharan was admitted to Ernakulam General Hospital and received free treatment under KASP. Following his discharge, he enrolled in the central government’s scheme for senior citizens and received the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card. 

However, when he was admitted to Kottayam Medical College Hospital due to chest pain shortly thereafter, he was required to pay for his treatment. His KASP benefits were cancelled because he had registered for the central scheme, leaving him without free coverage from either scheme.

State authorities to advise members of KASP to refrain from joining other government health insurance schemes unless officially guided by the state government.