Ayushman Bharat is the Indian government’s flagship health scheme, designed to achieve universal health coverage by ensuring access to quality healthcare services, especially for the poor and vulnerable. This scheme is also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). One of the key highlights of the scheme is its inclusion of all individuals aged 70 and above, regardless of their economic status. Currently, Ayushman Bharat provides ₹5 lakh in insurance coverage per family to the poorest 40% of the population. Now the biggest update coming is about the payment timeline for the hospitals.

Timely Payment To The Hospitals

CM Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to ensure timely payments to hospitals, stating that all pending dues must be cleared within a month. The scheme, which benefits individuals aged 70 and above, has been widely successful across the country. However, reports suggest that some hospitals are denying treatment due to delays in receiving payments for the services they provide. There was also reluctance from doctors to admit patients due to pending payments.

CM Yogi Adityanath has said the government that no pending dues should be kept for any hospital registered under Ayushman Bharat Yojana or Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan.

Eligible And Ineligible Recipients Of The Scheme

All Indian citizens aged 70 and above can register under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and avail its benefits upon successful enrollment. However, individuals with a monthly income exceeding ₹10,000 are not eligible for the scheme. Additionally, those who own a two-wheeler or a car do not qualify.

Eligibility criteria also vary from state to state. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh, individuals who own five acres of land are not eligible for Ayushman Bharat Yojana benefits.

Parliamentary Standing Committee’s Proposal

A major boost could be on the way for beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme, as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health has proposed doubling the coverage limit to ₹10 lakh per family. To widen its reach further, the committee has also suggested lowering the age criteria to 60 years. The committee also raised concerns about the underutilization of funds allocated for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, highlighting the need for better implementation to ensure benefits reach those in need.

Ayushman Bharat Scheme Budget

Reports suggest that the Ayushman Bharat scheme’s budget for FY24 was initially set at ₹7,200 crore, but later reduced to ₹6,800 crore, with actual spending reaching ₹6,670 crore.

For FY25, the allocation was increased from ₹7,300 crore to ₹7,605 crore, yet as of January 9, only ₹5,034.03 crore had been utilized, raising concerns about fund underutilization and implementation efficiency.