Free health insurance for seniors has become one of India’s biggest healthcare updates for families with elderly parents or grandparents. The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card gives citizens aged 70 years and above free treatment cover of ₹5 lakh per year under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, irrespective of income, pension, or social category. The government expanded AB-PMJAY in October 2024 to include all seniors aged 70+ across eligible implementing states and union territories.
Who Can Get The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card?
Any Indian citizen aged 70 years or above can apply for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card. The key point is age. Unlike earlier PM-JAY eligibility, this senior citizen benefit is not limited to economically weaker families. PIB says the expansion covers around 6 crore senior citizens from 4.5 crore families.
The scheme is especially useful for families worried about hospital bills, planned surgeries, emergency admission, cancer care, cardiac procedures, or other secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. Existing AB-PMJAY families also get a separate top-up cover for senior members aged 70 and above.
How Much Cover Does The Vay Vandana Card Give?
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card offers ₹5 lakh annual health cover for eligible seniors. This cover is for cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals under AB-PMJAY. According to PIB, more than 93 lakh Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards had been created across states and UTs by 5 December 2025. The government also reported 7.89 lakh hospital admissions worth ₹1,741 crore under this category by 31 October 2025.
That makes the card more than just a registration document. It can reduce sudden medical expenses for families where senior citizens depend on savings, children, pension income, or private support.
How To Apply For The Vay Vandana Card Online
Seniors can create the card through the official NHA Beneficiary Portal or the Ayushman App. The official portal also hosts creation videos for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card for people aged 70 years and above.
Documents Needed For Registration
Keep the Aadhaar card ready because age verification is usually linked to Aadhaar details. A mobile number connected with Aadhaar can make OTP verification easier. Families should also keep basic personal details ready before starting.
Steps are simple: open the beneficiary portal or Ayushman App, choose beneficiary login, enter Aadhaar-linked details, complete OTP verification, check eligibility, fill required fields, submit the form, and download the card once approved.
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Official Update Families Should Not Miss
The National Health Authority posted on X that seniors aged 70+ need their Aadhaar Card to enroll for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card and get ₹5 lakh free treatment benefit.
The official Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also posted that seniors aged 70 and above can get the card through the Ayushman App and access ₹5 lakh of free treatment.
Families should apply only through official channels and avoid agents asking for unnecessary fees. For hospital use, check whether the hospital is empanelled under AB-PMJAY before admission. For help, beneficiaries can also use official PM-JAY/NHA support channels and state health agency desks.
FAQs
1. Who Can Apply For Vay Vandana Card?
Any Indian citizen aged 70 years or above can apply, regardless of income category.
2. What Is The Annual Cover Amount?
The card gives eligible seniors ₹5 lakh annual cashless treatment cover under AB-PMJAY.
3. Is Aadhaar Required For Registration?
Yes, Aadhaar is commonly used for age verification and online beneficiary authentication.
4. Where Can Seniors Apply Online?
Seniors can apply through the Ayushman App or official NHA beneficiary portal.
5. Can Private Insurance Holders Apply?
Yes, eligible seniors can apply even if they already hold private health insurance.
