The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card is a healthcare initiative that provides up to Rs. 5 lakh medical coverage to senior citizens over the age of 70, regardless of socioeconomic background.

This scheme was brought in to address the gap in Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) which had failed to cater to the needs of senior citizens. Within two months of its launch, the card managed to enroll 25 lakh senior citizens. 

The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card can provide safety for the parents of NRIs living in India, who may not be covered by the health insurance provided by the employers. 

Who can apply for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card

To be eligible for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, an applicant must:

  • Be aged 70 years or older

  • Be a permanent resident of India holding a valid Aadhaar card

Factors like the socio-economic status of the applicant are not considered.

Key features of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card

  • Universal coverage for seniors: The card offers Rs. 5 lakh annual health coverage to every senior citizen aged 70 years and above. For families already covered under AB PM-JAY, an additional top-up of Rs. 5 lakh is provided for senior members. However, if multiple senior citizens in a family are enrolled, the Rs. 5 lakh coverage is shared among them.

  • A wide range of treatments: The scheme specifically covers secondary and tertiary hospitalization. Beneficiaries get access to about 2,000 medical treatments. The card  has been used for procedures like coronary angioplasty, fractures/replacements, gallbladder removal, cataract operations, prostate resection, stroke, haemodialysis, and febrile diseases to name a few.

  • No waiting period: All pre-existing conditions are covered from day one. There is no waiting period unlike in private insurance. As soon as the registration is complete, the cover can be availed.

  • Cashless process: Treatment is entirely cashless at empanelled hospitals.

  • Empanelled network: The AB PM-JAY network consists of over 30,000 hospitals of which 13,466 are private facilities. However, not all are active. Active hospitals are those from where at least one patient has been discharged over the last 45 days. Active hospitals remain below 3,000 under the PMJAY scheme.

Advantages of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card

  • This scheme is open to every senior citizen over 70 irrespective of their financial background.

  • All aspects of diagnosis and treatment costs including pre-hospitalization, in-hospital medications, intensive care, diagnostics and lab tests, implants and devices, hospital stay, complications coverage, and post-discharge care are covered.

  • Seniors with private health insurance coverage can still enroll in this scheme. This makes it a feasible option for NRIs whose employee insurance does not cover their parents back home in India.

  • Unlike private insurance where there is a waiting period of about 3 years to cover pre-existing conditions, all sorts of treatments are covered from day one with the Vay Vandana card.

Limitations of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card

  • Senior citizens can only hold one government insurance policy. If an individual is currently enrolled in any other health schemes such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), or the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), they must give this up to avail of AB PM-JAY.

  • The state governments of Delhi and West Bengal have not authorized the issue of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card. So, residents of these states can not avail this coverage. 

  • Citizens belonging to districts and states where the Model Code of Conduct is currently in effect can only apply for the card once the code is lifted. 

  • AB-PMJAY does not cover expenses for outpatient department services, dental treatments, and vaccinations. Additionally, treatment under the scheme is limited to the general ward of hospitals.

  • If multiple senior citizens in a family are enrolled, the Rs. 5 lakh coverage is shared among them.

  • Private hospitals don’t entertain AB-PMJAY patients as they face delays from the government on reimbursements.

Why this is especially useful for NRIs?

For global Indians, the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card offers a significant advantage as their employer health insurance often does not extend to senior citizens residing back home in India. This leaves their parents, who require this coverage on priority, out of the picture. On the other hand, the high premium of stand-alone insurance gives limited coverage. This is where the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card comes as a useful initiative.

The card’s flexibility allows senior citizens to get medical treatments without additional financial burden, even if they are already covered by some other private health insurance. Along with this,  the card offers a cashless alternative, addresses all pre-existing conditions without any waiting period, and doesn’t require physical presence in India to secure it.

How to register for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card?

Senior citizens aged 70 and above who qualify for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card can register through various channels. They can either visit the nearest empanelled hospital for registration, download the Ayushman app on their phone, or check out the official website.

Online registration process

  1. Visit https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/

  2. Enter the captcha and your mobile number to log in.

  3. Ignore the initial options on the screen that pops up.

  4. Click on the banner that says "Click here to enroll for senior citizens."

  5. Start the e-KYC process.

  6. Verify your Aadhaar number via OTP.

  7. The National Health Authority (NHA) OTP should also be verified.

  8. Select one of the health schemes you already own from the pop-up list, if applicable.

  9. Capture your picture for Aadhaar image verification.

  10. Add family members and their details.

  11. Click on "Submit."

  12. After 15 minutes, download the Ayushman Vay Vandana (AVV) Card.

Registration via Ayushman app

  1. Download the Ayushman Bharat app from the Google Play Store.

  2. Enter your mobile number and captcha, then authenticate with an OTP.

  3. Provide Aadhaar details and any additional required information.

  4. Shoot and upload your photo as part of the registration process.

  5. Input details of family members and their Aadhaar numbers.

  6. After successful verification, download your Ayushman Vay Vandana Card.

Offline registration

  1. Visit an empanelled center - Go to the nearest Health and Wellness Center (HWC), Common Service Center (CSC), or an empanelled hospital.

  2. Aarogya Mitras: They are the staff who will assist in generating the AVV Card.

  3. Necessary documents - Ensure you bring your Aadhaar card for verification.

  4. Complete the process - Provide the required details, and the staff will help you complete the registration and generate your card.

Helplines

Conclusion

The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card has raised the standard of healthcare in India. In its current form there are some regional limitations and exclusions. But despite these limitations and exclusions, the card offers necessary safety for senior citizens across India. 

For global Indians, this scheme ensures some much-needed peace of mind as a robust healthcare initiative that caters to their aged parents. It addresses all the challenges related to distance, physical presence, and supernormal premiums in a single card. As the scheme continues to expand, it will significantly improve the healthcare landscape and create a more equitable healthcare system for all.