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Aarogyasri & cancer costs

Is a Biopsy Covered — Under Aarogyasri?

Yes — biopsies for cancer diagnosis and staging are covered under Aarogyasri, but only when done as an inpatient at an empanelled hospital and linked to an approved package. A standalone biopsy at a private diagnostic lab or outpatient department is not covered.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty, Surgical Oncologist, MBBS (AIIMS) · MS Surgery (AIIMS) · DNB Surg Onc · MRCS (Edinburgh) · Last reviewed September 2026

  • Covered with conditions — The biopsy must be done as an inpatient at an empanelled hospital — not at a standalone lab or outpatient department.
  • Pre-authorisation is required — Your doctor requests approval before the procedure. The scheme will not cover a biopsy claimed after it has already been done.
  • Histopathology is included — The biopsy report and histopathology examination are part of the covered package — you do not pay for them separately.
  • Bring your documents — Your Aarogyasri card, Aadhaar, and prior medical records all need to be at the hospital on the day of admission.
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Biopsies for cancer diagnosis are covered under Aarogyasri and Dr. YSR Aarogyasri when done as an inpatient at an empanelled hospital as part of an approved procedure package. The coverage includes the biopsy and the histopathology report. A biopsy done at an outpatient department or standalone diagnostic lab is not covered under either scheme.

What does a biopsy cost, and what does Aarogyasri cover?

Biopsy typeIndicative private cost (2025)Aarogyasri status
Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)₹500 – ₹1,500Covered as part of inpatient cancer package
Core needle biopsy (breast, liver, lung)₹3,000 – ₹8,000Covered at empanelled hospital package rate
Surgical / excision biopsy₹10,000 – ₹30,000Covered under the relevant surgical package
Histopathology and IHC testing₹1,500 – ₹6,000Included within the procedure package
Biopsy at standalone OPD or private labAs aboveNot covered — inpatient admission is required

What does Aarogyasri cover, and what does it not?

Aarogyasri covers the biopsy procedure and the histopathology report when you are admitted as an inpatient at a hospital empanelled with the scheme. The hospital claims the package rate directly from the Aarogyasri Trust — you do not pay first and seek reimbursement later.

The scheme does not cover a biopsy ordered and done at an outpatient department, a private diagnostic lab, or a hospital that is not on the empanelled list. If your doctor refers you to a standalone lab for FNAC, that cost falls outside the scheme.

If your biopsy is part of a larger surgical procedure — for example, removing a lump and sending it for examination — the histopathology report is included in the surgical package. You do not pay separately for the report.

What documents do you need when admitted for a biopsy?

  • Aarogyasri health card or white ration card
  • Aadhaar card of the patient and the cardholder, if they are different people
  • Previous imaging reports — ultrasound, CT or MRI — that your doctor used to recommend the biopsy
  • Referral letter if you were sent from a government hospital or Primary Health Centre
  • Family income certificate if the card is not yet in the patient's name
  • Mobile number linked to Aadhaar, in case the hospital needs to send an OTP for verification

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How does the Aarogyasri biopsy process work?

  1. Confirm the hospital is empanelled

    Check before you travel. Call 104 or ask at the hospital's reception whether it is currently active on the Aarogyasri empanelment list. An empanelment can lapse — confirming first saves a wasted journey.

  2. Register at the Aarogyasri desk on arrival

    Go to the Aarogyasri or cashless counter. Bring your health card and Aadhaar. The desk staff will enter your details into the scheme system and guide you from there.

  3. Your doctor raises a pre-authorisation request

    Before the biopsy, your oncologist submits a request to the Trust specifying the procedure and the clinical reason. This is done by the hospital team, not by you.

  4. Wait for approval

    Approval for most cancer biopsy packages comes within a few hours to one working day. Urgent cases can be flagged by your treating doctor. The hospital desk will let you know when it is confirmed.

  5. Biopsy is performed at no cost to you

    Once the pre-authorisation is approved, the procedure goes ahead. You pay nothing for the approved package at the time of the procedure.

  6. Collect your report and discharge summary

    The histopathology report and a discharge summary are given to you before you leave. Keep copies of both — you will need them for the next stage of treatment and for any future scheme claims.

What is the difference between Telangana Aarogyasri and AP Dr. YSR Aarogyasri?

FeatureTelangana AarogyasriAP Dr. YSR Aarogyasri
Administered byAarogyasri Health Care Trust, TelanganaDr. YSR Aarogyasri Health Care Trust, AP
EligibilityWhite ration card holders and designated familiesFamilies below the income threshold set by the state
Biopsy coverageCovered under listed cancer packages at empanelled hospitalsCovered under listed cancer packages at empanelled hospitals
Payment modelCashless — hospital claims directly from the TrustCashless — hospital claims directly from the Trust
OPD or lab biopsyNot coveredNot covered
Helpline104104
Empanelment checkCall 104 or ask at the hospital deskCall 104 or ask at the hospital desk

Did you know?

Both Telangana Aarogyasri and AP Dr. YSR Aarogyasri are integrated with the national PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) platform.

If your family is already enrolled in PM-JAY, you may be able to use the same benefit at empanelled hospitals in both states without re-registering separately.

Source: National Health Authority, PM-JAY Operational Guidelines

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I get the biopsy covered if the hospital is not on the Aarogyasri list?

No. Cashless coverage applies only at hospitals empanelled by the scheme. Going to a non-empanelled facility — even a government hospital that has not been registered — means the biopsy will not be covered. Call 104 before you travel to confirm the hospital is currently active on the list. If it is not, ask your doctor whether a referral to an empanelled centre is possible.

I already paid for my biopsy at a private lab. Can I claim reimbursement?

Aarogyasri does not offer reimbursement for procedures done before pre-authorisation is approved. If you paid out of pocket, that cost cannot be recovered through the scheme. Going forward, the process must start with inpatient admission at an empanelled hospital and approval before the procedure is done. Ask at your district government hospital whether any state cancer relief fund has a separate reimbursement provision for cases like yours.

Does the scheme cover a second or repeat biopsy?

A repeat biopsy can be covered if your oncologist requests a new pre-authorisation and the clinical reason is accepted by the Trust. It is not automatically approved because the first one was. Your treating doctor at the empanelled hospital submits this request — you do not need to contact the Trust separately. Ask your doctor at that point whether the new biopsy needs to be done at the same hospital or whether a referral is needed.

Is immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing on the biopsy sample covered?

IHC testing is typically included within the histopathology component of the package at empanelled hospitals. Some advanced molecular tests — such as next-generation sequencing for targeted therapy eligibility — may fall outside the standard package. Ask the hospital's Aarogyasri desk to confirm which tests are included before the sample is sent to the laboratory, so there are no unexpected charges at the end.

The Aarogyasri card is in my parent's name but I am the patient. Will it still work?

Yes. Aarogyasri covers all members of the enrolled family, not just the cardholder. Bring the cardholder's Aarogyasri card and Aadhaar alongside your own Aadhaar so the hospital can link your details to the family record. If there is any difficulty at the desk, the hospital team can contact the Trust helpline on your behalf — you do not need to resolve this on your own.

How long does the pre-authorisation take, and what if it is delayed?

For most cancer biopsy packages, approval comes within a few hours to one working day. Your oncologist can flag urgent cases to speed this up. The hospital's Aarogyasri desk manages the submission — you do not follow up with the Trust directly. If approval is taking longer than expected, ask the desk for a status update. Delays are usually resolved the same day when the treating doctor follows up with the Trust.

Full index

Browse all 701 biopsy topics

Every page in this section, grouped by the part of the journey it belongs to. Pick a group to see what is in it.

What Is a Biopsy?

What Is a Biopsy? Everything You Need to Know →

Types of Biopsy Compared

Which Biopsy Will You Have? Techniques Compared →

Preparing for a Biopsy

What to Expect on the Day of Your Biopsy →

Recovery and Aftercare

After a Biopsy: Recovery, Aftercare and Warning Signs →

Biopsy by Body Part

Biopsy by Body Part: What to Expect at Each Site →

Understanding Your Report

How to Read a Biopsy Report: Terms Explained →

IHC and Molecular Markers

IHC and Molecular Markers on a Biopsy: What They Mean →

Grading and Scoring Systems

Cytology & Prostate Scoring Systems Explained →

How Accurate Is a Biopsy?

How Accurate Is a Biopsy? Errors and Second Opinions →

If Your Result Is Benign

Your Biopsy Is Benign: What It Means and What Comes Next →

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