Private Health Insurance Holders Can Still Use Ayushman Card

The rollout of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in Delhi has brought some confusion to people already having private health insurance. Many families like Mahesh’s, who already bought health insurance for their elderly parents, are wondering if they should keep it or cancel it now that free treatment is being offered by the government.

Let’s break it down simply so everyone, especially senior citizens and their families, can understand how both can work together.

Already Have Health Insurance? You Can Still Get Ayushman Benefits

The good news is — senior citizens above 70 can get free treatment under Ayushman Bharat, even if they already have a private health insurance policy. The government has made it clear that there’s no need to cancel your existing policy to get an Ayushman Vay Vandana Card.

This means your parents or grandparents can use both:

• The private insurance they already have
• The Ayushman card that offers up to Rs.5 lakh free treatment per year

It’s like having two safety nets — and it gives peace of mind in times of medical emergency.

Who Is Eligible for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card?

The eligibility is simple:

• The person should be 70 years or older
• An Aadhaar card is needed for age verification

Unlike earlier schemes, income level, job background, or current insurance status do not matter. Whether someone earned ₹10,000 or ₹1 lakh per month before retirement — everyone above 70 can apply.

How to Get the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card?

Getting the card is quick and simple:

• Apply online using a mobile phone or computer
• Aadhaar-based e-KYC will be done to verify age
• After successful verification, the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card will be issued

You don’t need to visit multiple government offices or stand in long queues. It’s all digital and easy, just like the regular Ayushman card.

Should You Cancel Private Insurance Now?

This is where many people are confused. If Ayushman is offering free treatment, why continue paying for private health insurance?

Here’s what experts suggest:

• Don’t cancel your private policy right away
• Many top private hospitals still prefer private insurance over Ayushman due to fixed treatment rates under the scheme
• Ayushman Bharat covers up to ₹5 lakhs only. If treatment cost goes beyond that, your private policy can cover the rest
• Once cancelled, it’s very tough and costly to get a new policy for elderly people

So, even though Ayushman is a great help, your existing insurance still provides better coverage and flexibility in some situations.

Why Keeping Both is a Smarter Option

Here’s how keeping both Ayushman and private insurance helps:

So, if you’re thinking about your parents’ or grandparents’ health safety, having both policies gives more options and security.