My elderly parents are residents of Delhi. I want to know what specific benefits they are entitled to under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
It is a very important clarification that the central Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), also known as Ayushman Bharat, is not implemented in Delhi. Therefore, there are no benefits available under the PM-JAY name. However, senior citizens who are residents of Delhi are entitled to comprehensive free treatment under the Delhi government’s own universal health scheme.
Understanding That PM-JAY is Not Implemented in Delhi
My friend’s father, a senior citizen living in Delhi, was trying to find out how to get a PM-JAY card. I had to explain to my friend that the Delhi government has not implemented the central PM-JAY scheme, so there is no Ayushman card to be made and no benefits available under that specific program within the state.
The Universal Health Scheme for All Delhi Residents
I then shared the good news with my friend about Delhi’s own system. The Delhi government runs a health scheme where all residents of Delhi, irrespective of their age or income level, are eligible for benefits. This means his father is covered by virtue of being a resident, and he does not need to be on a specific beneficiary list.
Benefits Available for Senior Citizens at Government Hospitals
My neighbor’s elderly mother recently required a major surgery at a large Delhi Government hospital. She received all the services, from the initial diagnostic tests to the surgery itself, the hospital stay, and all the required medicines, completely free of cost. This is the primary and most direct benefit available to all senior citizen residents of Delhi.
Getting Treatment at Private Hospitals Through Referral
The most critical benefit for specialized care is the referral system. I explained to my friend that if his father needs a procedure that has a long waiting time or is not available at a Delhi Government hospital, the doctors there can issue an official referral to an empanelled private hospital. With this referral, his father can get the specified treatment at that private hospital completely cashlessly, with the Delhi government paying the bill.