Ayushman Vay Vandana Completes 2 Years with 23.46 Lakh Hospital Admissions Worth ₹5,668 Crore

Ayushman Vay Vandana has completed two years, recording 23.46 lakh authorised hospital admissions worth ₹5,668.80 crore while expanding healthcare access for senior citizens aged 70 and above.

Ayushman Vay Vandana Completes 2 Years with 23.46 Lakh Hospital Admissions Worth ₹5,668 Crore

The Ayushman Vay Vandana initiative has completed two years, reporting 23.46 lakh authorised hospital admissions valued at ₹5,668.80 crore. The scheme aims to provide affordable healthcare and financial security to senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income or socio-economic background.

Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 29, 2024, the initiative extends the benefits of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to elderly citizens across India.

Ayushman Vay Vandana: Eligibility and Health Coverage

Implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the initiative is designed to benefit approximately six crore senior citizens from around 4.5 crore families nationwide.

Eligible individuals aged 70 and above can receive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. Eligibility is not determined by income or socio-economic status.

Senior citizens who belong to families already covered by AB PM-JAY receive an additional top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh annually, reserved exclusively for eligible elderly members. This additional protection is separate from the existing coverage available to family members below 70 years of age.

The scheme seeks to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and help older people access necessary hospital treatment without facing excessive financial pressure.

Scheme Records 23.46 Lakh Hospital Admissions

According to official figures as of October 20, 2026, Ayushman Vay Vandana had authorised 23.46 lakh hospital admissions, with the total value of approved hospital care reaching ₹5,668.80 crore.

The figures reflect the use of the initiative for a range of medical needs, including surgical procedures, chronic conditions and specialised treatments.

Cataract surgery was the most frequently availed procedure, accounting for approximately 4.71 lakh treatments. This represented around 20.1% of all authorised treatments under the scheme, highlighting the demand for eye care among senior citizens.

Chronic haemodialysis ranked second, with approximately 2.90 lakh procedures recorded. The figures underline the importance of ongoing hospital-based treatment for elderly patients living with kidney-related conditions.

Cardiac Treatment Accounts for Highest Authorised Value

Although cataract surgery led in the number of procedures, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) recorded the highest authorised treatment value, at approximately ₹649 crore.

PTCA is a medical procedure used to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries and restore blood flow to the heart. Its high expenditure share highlights the importance of financial support for specialised cardiac care, which can involve significant hospital costs.

Other commonly accessed treatments included total knee replacement, treatment for acute exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), acute febrile illness, acute kidney injury and renal failure.

These treatment categories demonstrate the scheme's role in supporting elderly patients with diverse healthcare needs, ranging from common surgical interventions to complex and potentially serious medical conditions.

NHA Highlights Healthcare Access with Dignity

On the initiative's second anniversary, National Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal reiterated the government's commitment to improving healthcare access for older citizens.

He said the initiative was designed to help people aged 70 and above obtain essential medical treatment with dignity, security and peace of mind, without financial constraints preventing them from seeking hospital care.

Barnwal also emphasised that extending AB PM-JAY benefits to eligible senior citizens regardless of their socio-economic status was an important step towards a more inclusive healthcare system.

The initiative forms part of the government's broader efforts to expand publicly funded healthcare and strengthen financial protection for vulnerable groups.

Ayushman Vay Vandana Enters Its Third Year

As the initiative enters its third year, its recorded hospital admissions and approved treatment expenditure demonstrate its use among senior citizens seeking medical care.

By offering annual health coverage and additional protection for elderly members of already covered families, the scheme seeks to reduce the financial burden associated with hospitalisation.

Continued implementation and wider awareness will be important in helping eligible senior citizens understand their benefits and access healthcare services. The initiative remains a key component of efforts to improve healthcare affordability and financial security for India's ageing population.

Conclusion

As Ayushman Vay Vandana enters its third year, the scheme continues to strengthen healthcare access and financial protection for senior citizens aged 70 and above. With 23.46 lakh authorised hospital admissions worth ₹5,668.80 crore, the initiative highlights the growing role of publicly funded healthcare in supporting India’s elderly population. Wider awareness and effective implementation will be crucial to ensuring that more eligible senior citizens receive timely, affordable and dignified medical care.