Cataract surgery tops list of treatments availed; cardiac angioplasty accounts for highest authorised expenditure at ₹649 crore

 

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 29, 2026

The Ayushman Vay Vandana initiative, which extends health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of their socio-economic status, has recorded 23.46 lakh authorised hospital admissions involving approved treatment costs of ₹5,668.80 crore since its launch two years ago.

Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 29, 2024, the initiative extends the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to elderly citizens, with the objective of improving access to hospital care and shielding them from the financial burden of medical treatment.

According to official data, as of October 20, 2026, the scheme had recorded 23.46 lakh authorised admissions, underscoring the demand for publicly funded healthcare among the elderly. Implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the initiative is expected to benefit approximately six crore senior citizens across 4.5 crore families in the country.

Under the scheme, all eligible citizens aged 70 years and above are entitled to health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation, regardless of income or socio-economic background.

Senior citizens belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY are entitled to an additional top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh annually, exclusively for themselves. This is separate from the existing family cover available to members below 70 years of age.

Cataract surgery emerged as the most frequently availed treatment under the initiative, accounting for 4.71 lakh procedures, or around 20.1% of all authorised treatments. The figures point to the significant demand for eye care among elderly beneficiaries.

Chronic haemodialysis ranked second, with approximately 2.90 lakh procedures, highlighting the importance of continued access to hospital-based treatment for senior citizens with kidney-related ailments.

In terms of expenditure, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), a procedure used to treat narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, accounted for the highest authorised treatment value at approximately ₹649 crore. The figure reflects the substantial costs associated with specialised cardiac care and the role of publicly funded insurance in easing the financial burden on patients.

Other commonly availed treatments included total knee replacement, management of acute exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), acute febrile illness, acute kidney injury and renal failure. The range of procedures reflects the diverse healthcare needs of the elderly, spanning routine surgical interventions, chronic disease management and critical medical care.

Marking the initiative’s second anniversary, National Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal said the scheme sought to ensure that senior citizens could access essential healthcare without financial barriers.

 “Ayushman Vay Vandana embodies our commitment to ensuring that senior citizens aged 70 years and above, can access healthcare with dignity, security and peace of mind. By extending AB PM-JAY coverage to all eligible citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of socio-economic status, the initiative strengthens financial protection for the elderly families,” Dr. Barnwal said.

 “It is an important step towards building a more inclusive healthcare system that recognises the needs of our senior citizens and ensures that financial constraints do not stand in the way of essential hospital care,” he added.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to expand publicly funded healthcare coverage and improve access to hospital services for the elderly. With the scheme entering its third year, the focus remains on widening its reach and strengthening financial protection for senior citizens and their families against hospitalisation expenses.