.webp&w=384&q=75){kind=logo}
Loading, please wait...
Loading, please wait...
The Indian government recently announced significant achievements regarding Ayushman Bharat health coverage. During a Rajya Sabha session on Tuesday, Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav shared updated statistics as of February 28, 2026. Currently, the country has created 43.52 crore Ayushman cards for eligible beneficiaries. Furthermore, this total includes 1.14 crore Ayushman Vay Vandana cards specifically for senior citizens aged 70 and above. This expansion highlights the government's commitment to protecting vulnerable populations from high medical costs.
To support this massive beneficiary base, the government has empanelled 36,229 hospitals under the scheme. This network comprises 19,483 public facilities and 16,746 private hospitals. Consequently, patients can access high-quality treatment through a robust public-private partnership. The scheme provides annual health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. Moreover, the current Health Benefit Package offers cashless treatment for 1,961 procedures across 27 specialties. This diversity ensures that patients receive comprehensive care for various medical conditions.
The digital health ecosystem has also witnessed substantial growth alongside physical infrastructure. Currently, authorities have created more than 86 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA). Additionally, they have successfully linked over 90 crore health records to these accounts. More than 2.5 lakh healthcare facilities now use software enabled by the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Therefore, healthcare providers can access patient histories securely and efficiently. So far, the government has authorized over 11.69 crore hospital admissions worth ₹1.73 lakh crore. These figures demonstrate the significant impact of the mission on national health security.
Q1: Who is eligible for the Ayushman Vay Vandana cards?
All senior citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible for these cards, regardless of their socio-economic status. This specific expansion provides them with additional health coverage of ₹5 lakh annually.
Q2: Is the ABHA card mandatory to receive treatment under AB-PMJAY?
While the ABHA card helps in linking health records and streamlining care, it is not mandatory for receiving benefits. Eligible citizens can use their Ayushman cards to access cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital.
Q3: How many medical specialties are covered under the scheme?
The scheme currently covers 27 medical specialties and includes over 1,900 different medical and surgical procedures.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice or replace professional judgment. Refer to the latest local and national guidelines for clinical practice.
References
Read summarized clinical updates, watch expert medical content, and earn CME certifications right from your smartphone.
Open your smartphone camera to scan and install.
India issues 43.5 crore Ayushman cards and empanels 36,000+ hospitals, providing cashless healthcare and expanding coverage to senior citizens aged 70 plus....
5 months ago
A large NHANES cohort study reveals that higher Healthy Eating Index scores significantly reduce all-cause mortality risk in CKD patients by 45%. This analysis highlights the importance of comprehensive diet quality and medical nutrition therapy in renal care to optimize long-term clinical survival.
Today
A prospective cohort study demonstrates that poor adolescent sleep quality, especially long sleep latency and reduced efficiency, increases dysmenorrhea severity in young adulthood. Addressing adolescent rest patterns offers a critical preventive avenue for clinicians.
Today
A meta-analysis of 13 propensity score-matched studies shows ViV-TAVR delivers lower early mortality and reduced bleeding compared to redo-SAVR for degenerated bioprosthetic aortic valves, though long-term hemodynamics warrant careful anatomical and patient-centered evaluation.
Today
Endoscopic posterior cervical fusion combines minimally invasive decompression, joint preparation, and rigid screw-rod fixation for atlantoaxial pathologies. Early clinical findings demonstrate solid bony union, excellent symptom relief, and minimal soft-tissue morbidity without significant vascular compromise.
Today
The All-India Food Processors' Association has approached the Supreme Court to oppose FSSAI's proposed per-100g benchmark for front-of-pack warning labels, advocating instead for a per-serving threshold. We explore the regulatory showdown, nutritional evidence, and implications for clinical lifestyle counseling.
Today
