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WOMEN'S CANCER CARE · HYDERABAD

Does Insurance Cover Breast Cancer Treatment? — What You Need to Know

In most cases, yes — health insurance in India covers breast cancer treatment, including hospitalisation, surgery and day-care chemotherapy, often on a cashless basis at network hospitals. But the details decide everything: your sum insured, waiting periods, pre-existing-disease clauses and whether your hospital is in the network. This guide explains, in plain language, what is typically covered, how cashless and reimbursement differ, and how to claim smoothly — then points you to what treatment actually costs and to government schemes if you have no policy. For costed plans, see our breast cancer treatment in Hyderabad page.

  • Usually covered — most mediclaim policies cover breast cancer hospitalisation, surgery and day-care chemotherapy up to your sum insured.
  • Check the fine print — waiting periods, pre-existing-disease clauses and sub-limits decide what you can actually claim; read them before you start.
  • Cashless saves stress — at a network hospital, cashless treatment means you don't pay upfront and the insurer settles directly.
  • Free first consultation — a full 45-minute, woman-led, doctor-led consultation for all cancer patients, with help to check your policy.
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Women's Cancer Care

Is Breast Cancer Treatment Covered by Health Insurance?

For most women with a comprehensive health insurance (mediclaim) policy, the answer is yes. Cancer is a covered illness under standard health policies, so the hospitalisation, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation needed for breast cancer are generally claimable up to your sum insured. Many insurers also cover day-care procedures — important because much chemotherapy is given without an overnight stay. What varies is how much is covered and when, which is why reading your policy matters before treatment begins.

The honest qualifier is the fine print. Waiting periods, pre-existing-disease clauses, room-rent and sub-limits, and the difference between cashless and reimbursement all affect what you actually receive. This page walks through each of these so you can plan with confidence, and links you to the realistic cost of treatment and to government schemes for families without a policy.

Cancer is a covered illness

Standard health insurance treats cancer as a claimable illness, so breast cancer hospitalisation, surgery and chemotherapy are generally covered up to your sum insured.

The details vary by policy

Waiting periods, pre-existing-disease clauses, room-rent limits and sub-limits differ between policies — so what you can claim depends on your specific document.

Cashless is usually possible

At a network (empanelled) hospital you can often get cashless treatment, where the insurer settles directly and you do not have to pay the full amount upfront.

Did you know?

Many breast cancer claims get delayed or partly rejected not because cancer isn't covered, but over avoidable details — an active waiting period, a pre-existing-disease clause, a room-rent sub-limit, or missing pre-authorisation for cashless treatment. Reading your policy and arranging pre-authorisation before admission is the single best way to ensure a smooth claim. If you have no policy, government schemes like ArogyaSri and Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY can cover treatment at empanelled hospitals for eligible families. Always verify your current cover and eligibility before treatment.

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What's Typically Included

What Health Insurance Typically Covers for Breast Cancer

A standard comprehensive policy covers most of the core costs of breast cancer treatment, though the exact inclusions vary. Below are the items most policies cover; always confirm against your own document. For the underlying costs these claims offset, see our breast cancer treatment cost guide.

Hospitalisation and surgery

Admission, the operating theatre, the surgeon's fees and the hospital stay for a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery are typically covered up to your sum insured and room-rent limits.

Day-care chemotherapy

Most modern policies cover day-care procedures, so chemotherapy given without an overnight admission is generally claimable — important, as much breast cancer chemo is day-care.

Radiation therapy

A course of radiation therapy is usually covered. Confirm whether it is treated as day-care or hospitalisation under your policy, as that can affect the claim.

Pre- and post-hospitalisation

Many policies cover diagnostics and medicines for a set number of days before admission and a longer window after — so some scans, biopsies and follow-up costs may also be claimable.

Read Before You Claim

Waiting Periods, Pre-Existing Disease and the Fine Print

Cancer being "covered" does not always mean fully payable on day one. A handful of policy terms decide how much you actually receive, and they are the most common reasons claims are reduced or delayed. Knowing them in advance lets you plan and avoid nasty surprises.

Initial waiting period

New policies usually have an initial waiting period (commonly around 30 days) before most illnesses are claimable. Accidents are the usual exception. A long-standing policy avoids this issue entirely.

Pre-existing-disease (PED) clause

If breast cancer was diagnosed before you bought the policy, a PED waiting period (often a few years) may apply. Buying cover while healthy is the best protection against this clause.

Room-rent and sub-limits

Some policies cap room rent or set sub-limits on certain treatments. Choosing a room within your eligible limit avoids proportionate deductions that can quietly reduce your whole claim.

Exclusions and co-pay

Consumables, some outpatient costs and certain newer therapies may be excluded or subject to co-pay. Read the exclusions list so you know what to budget for alongside the claim.

Two Ways to Claim

Cashless vs Reimbursement: Which Is Right for You

There are two ways to use a health policy: cashless, where the insurer pays the hospital directly, and reimbursement, where you pay first and claim back later. Both are valid; the right one depends on whether your hospital is in the insurer's network and how much cash you can arrange upfront.

Cashless treatment

At a network (empanelled) hospital, the hospital's insurance desk seeks pre-authorisation and the insurer settles eligible costs directly. You avoid paying the full amount upfront — the least stressful route during cancer treatment.

Reimbursement

If your hospital is not in the network, you pay and then submit bills, reports and discharge summary to claim back. Keep every original document — incomplete paperwork is the main reason reimbursements get delayed.

Pre-authorisation matters

For cashless, planned treatment should be pre-authorised before admission; emergencies are authorised shortly after. Starting the process early avoids last-minute hold-ups on the day of surgery or chemo.

Keep copies of everything

Whichever route you use, keep copies of bills, prescriptions, reports and the discharge summary. Good records make every claim — and any future top-up claim — far smoother.

Why Choose CION

How CION Helps You Use Your Insurance

Navigating a claim while coping with a cancer diagnosis is hard. CION is a woman-headed, tumor-board-led organisation that pairs expert treatment with practical help on insurance and schemes — so the paperwork does not get in the way of your care.

Help checking your policyThe team helps you understand what your policy covers, the waiting periods that apply, and whether cashless treatment is possible at your chosen centre — before treatment begins.
Cashless and claim supportWhere applicable, the insurance desk assists with pre-authorisation and the paperwork for cashless or reimbursement claims, so you spend less time chasing documents.
Scheme guidance if you have no policyIf you are uninsured, the team helps you check eligibility for government schemes like ArogyaSri and Ayushman Bharat, and offers diagnostic discounts of up to 50%.
35+ centres, 15,000+ patients, 4.8/5A 4.8/5 Google rating across 35+ centres in Telangana and AP, with a tumor board for every patient and transparent, written cost estimates — decisions for healing, not billing.

Not sure what your policy covers? Let us help you check.

A free 45-minute consultation with a CION specialist gives you a clear treatment plan and help understanding your insurance, cashless options and scheme eligibility before you start.

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Meet the Specialists

17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.

Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.

Dr. Naresh Gundu
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Naresh Gundu

MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology)

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Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
Medical Oncologist

Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy

MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)

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Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla

MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)

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Dr. Owais Mohammed
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Owais Mohammed

MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)

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Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy
Medical Oncologist

Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy

MBBS, DM (Medical Oncology), MD (Radiation Oncology)

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Dr. N. Kiranmayee
Medical Oncologist

Dr. N. Kiranmayee

MBBS, DM (Medical Oncology), MD (Internal Medicine)

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Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty

MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)

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Dr. Raghavendra Naik
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Raghavendra Naik

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology)

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Dr. Mohammed  Imaduddin
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Mohammed Imaduddin

M.B.B.S, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology)

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Dr. Vinay Mamidala
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Vinay Mamidala

MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)

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Dr. Paila Gowri Naidu
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Paila Gowri Naidu

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology), FMAS

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Dr. Venkata Sushma P
Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Venkata Sushma P

MBBS, MD (Radiation Oncology)

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Dr. Kirti Ranjan Mohanty
Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Kirti Ranjan Mohanty

MBBS, MD (Radiation Oncology)

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Dr. Gangadhar Vajrala
Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Gangadhar Vajrala

MBBS, MD (Radiation Oncology), MPH

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Dr. Basudev Pokhrel
Hematologist

Dr. Basudev Pokhrel

MBBS, M.D (Immunohematology & Blood Transfusion)

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Dr. Mohammed Imran
Interventional Radiologist

Dr. Mohammed Imran

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Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology

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Dr. Sridhar Kamani
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Sridhar Kamani

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology)

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Beyond Mediclaim

Critical-Illness and Cancer-Specific Plans

A standard mediclaim policy reimburses hospital bills, but cancer brings costs that bills do not capture — travel, lost income, outpatient medicines and the long tail of recovery. Critical-illness and cancer-specific plans are designed for exactly this. They pay differently from mediclaim, and many families benefit from holding both.

If you are thinking ahead for yourself or family, understanding these options now — before any diagnosis — is far more valuable than after. For families already facing treatment without adequate cover, our government schemes guide is the next place to look.

Lump-sum payout on diagnosisA critical-illness or cancer plan pays an agreed lump sum when cancer is diagnosed (often at a defined stage), regardless of your actual bills — giving you flexible money for whatever the family needs.
Covers the costs mediclaim missesThe payout can cover travel to treatment, lost income during recovery, outpatient medicines and home support — real costs a hospitalisation-only policy will not reimburse.
Works alongside mediclaimThese plans are usually paid in addition to a mediclaim claim, not instead of it — so holding both gives broader protection than either alone.
Check definitions and waiting periodsPayout often depends on the cancer meeting the plan's stage definition, and a survival/waiting period may apply. Read these terms carefully when choosing or claiming on such a plan.
A Common Question

Is Day-Care Chemotherapy Covered?

Many women worry that because chemotherapy is often given without an overnight stay, it will not count as "hospitalisation" and so will not be covered. In fact, modern policies recognise day-care treatment specifically for this reason. Understanding how it is treated under your policy helps you claim every cycle correctly.

This matters because chemotherapy is given over multiple cycles, and a single missed or mis-filed claim can add up over a full course.

Day-care is specifically coveredMost modern policies list chemotherapy among covered day-care procedures, so treatment given without a 24-hour admission is generally claimable — confirm the wording in your policy.
Each cycle is usually a separate claimBecause chemo runs over several cycles, you may file a claim for each. Keeping bills and prescriptions organised cycle by cycle keeps the process smooth across the whole course.
Watch the sum insuredA long course can consume a large share of your annual sum insured. Knowing your limit early lets you plan, consider a top-up, or check scheme eligibility before the cover runs low.
Some outpatient costs may not be coveredCertain oral medicines or supportive treatments taken at home may fall outside hospitalisation cover. Ask up front so you can budget for them or use a critical-illness payout.

Want help arranging cashless treatment?

A CION specialist can review your reports, outline the treatment plan, and the insurance desk can help check your policy and arrange pre-authorisation for cashless care. Your first consultation is free.

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Smooth Claims

Tips for a Smooth Insurance Claim

Most claim problems are avoidable and come from paperwork, timing or a missed policy clause — not from cancer being uninsurable. A little preparation before treatment makes the whole process far easier, so you can focus on getting well rather than chasing documents. Choosing a centre that handles claims well also matters.

At CION, the focus is on getting your treatment right while supporting the claim around it — which is part of why our published outcomes are strong.

CION breast cancer 1-year survival: 96.9% vs national average 85.4% (+11.5%). *1-year survival. Source: ICMR / National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP).

Read your policy before treatmentKnow your sum insured, waiting periods, room-rent limits and exclusions before admission. Planning your room choice and timing around these terms prevents proportionate deductions.
Get pre-authorisation earlyFor cashless treatment, start pre-authorisation well before planned surgery or chemo. Early approval avoids last-minute hold-ups on the day of admission.
Keep every documentSave bills, prescriptions, reports, the diagnosis letter and the discharge summary. Complete, organised records are the difference between a quick settlement and a stalled claim.
Use the hospital's insurance deskA centre experienced with cancer claims can guide pre-authorisation and paperwork, reducing errors. CION's team supports this so you can concentrate on treatment.
Your Next Step

Using Your Insurance at CION: Step by Step

You should not have to figure out claims alone. CION offers a clear pathway from first consultation to treatment, with help understanding and using your cover at each step — and your first consultation is free.

1

Free 45-minute consultation

A specialist reviews your reports, explains the likely treatment, and you bring your policy details so the team can see what is covered — no rushed decisions, no unnecessary tests.

2

Check cover and cashless eligibility

The team helps confirm your sum insured, waiting periods and whether cashless treatment is possible at your chosen centre — or checks scheme eligibility if you have no policy.

3

Pre-authorisation and paperwork

For cashless care, the insurance desk assists with pre-authorisation before admission; for reimbursement, it helps you assemble the documents you will need.

4

Treatment with claim support throughout

You receive your treatment while the team supports the claim cycle by cycle, with transparent costs and diagnostic discounts of up to 50% where you pay out of pocket.

REAL PATIENTS, REAL OUTCOMES

Women who focused on healing while we handled the paperwork

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Real Stories. Real Voices.

15,000+ patients chose CION. Hear from them directly.

These aren't paid endorsements or written reviews. These are video testimonials from real patients and families — recorded on their own phones, in their own words. Pick any one. Watch it. Then decide.

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Successful Chemotherapy Done by Dr. C Raghavendra Reddy

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Surgery, Chemo & Radiation Done by Dr. Imaduddin, Dr. Vinay, Dr. Owais, Dr. Kirti

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Successful Radical Thymectomy Done by Dr. Mohammed Imaduddin & Dr. Vinay Mamidala

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Successful Surgery Done by Dr. Rajender Byshetty

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Successful Chemo & Surgery Done by Dr. Imad, Dr. Vinay, Dr. Owais & Dr. Raghavendra

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Successful Chemo & Surgery Done by Dr. Imad, Dr. Vinay, Dr. Owais & Dr. Raghavendra

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Successful Chemo & Radiation Done by Dr. Owais Mohammed & Dr. Kirti Ranjan Mohanty

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Successful Breast Cancer Surgery Done by Dr. Imaduddin Mohammed & Dr. Vinay Mamidala

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Successful Chemotherapy Done by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla

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Successful Chemo & Surgery Done by Dr. Owais Mohammed & Dr. Imaduddin Mohammed

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Successful Chemotherapy Done by Dr. Gundu Naresh

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Successful Bone Marrow Transplantation - Neuroblastoma

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Successful Surgery & Chemo - Carcinoma of Caecum

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Successful Oral chemotherapy & mastectomy surgery

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Successful Oral chemotherapy & mastectomy surgery

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Successful Chemotherapy

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Successful Surgery by Dr. Mohammed Imaduddin

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Successful Bone Marrow Transplantation

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Successful Oral chemotherapy & mastectomy surgery

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Successful Oral chemotherapy & mastectomy surgery

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Successful Chemotherapy

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Successful Buccal Mucosa Surgery

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Successful Complex Surgery Mandibulectomy Reconstruction

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Common questions

Insurance for breast cancer treatment — your questions answered

Does health insurance cover breast cancer treatment in India?

In most cases, yes. Cancer is a covered illness under standard health insurance (mediclaim) policies, so the hospitalisation, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation needed for breast cancer are generally claimable up to your sum insured. Many policies also cover day-care procedures, which matters because much breast cancer chemotherapy is given without an overnight stay. What varies between policies is how much is covered and when — waiting periods, pre-existing-disease clauses, room-rent limits and sub-limits all affect the final amount. The best step is to read your policy before treatment and confirm what applies. CION can help you check your cover during a free consultation.

What is the difference between cashless and reimbursement?

With cashless treatment, you are treated at a hospital in your insurer's network, the hospital seeks pre-authorisation, and the insurer settles eligible costs directly — so you do not pay the full amount upfront. With reimbursement, you pay the hospital yourself and then submit the bills, reports and discharge summary to claim the money back. Cashless is usually the least stressful route during cancer treatment, but it requires your hospital to be in the network and pre-authorisation to be arranged, ideally before admission. For reimbursement, keep every original document, as incomplete paperwork is the most common reason claims are delayed.

Will a waiting period or pre-existing-disease clause affect my claim?

It can. New policies usually have an initial waiting period (often around 30 days) before most illnesses become claimable. Separately, if breast cancer was diagnosed before you bought the policy, a pre-existing-disease (PED) waiting period — often a few years — may apply before that condition is covered. These clauses are the reason it is best to hold comprehensive cover while healthy, well before any diagnosis. If you already have a long-standing policy, these waiting periods are usually behind you. Always read your specific policy document, as the exact periods and definitions vary between insurers and plans.

Is day-care chemotherapy covered by insurance?

Usually, yes. Many women worry that because chemotherapy is often given without an overnight stay, it will not count as hospitalisation — but most modern policies specifically list chemotherapy among covered day-care procedures. That means treatment given without a 24-hour admission is generally claimable. Because chemotherapy runs over several cycles, you may file a claim for each cycle, so keeping bills and prescriptions organised helps. Watch your sum insured over a long course, and check whether any oral or home-based supportive medicines fall outside hospitalisation cover. Confirm the exact wording in your policy, and ask the hospital's insurance desk if you are unsure.

What if I do not have any health insurance?

You still have options. For eligible families, government schemes can cover cancer treatment at empanelled hospitals — ArogyaSri in Telangana, Dr. YSR Aarogyasri in Andhra Pradesh, and Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY nationally. These can dramatically reduce or remove out-of-pocket cost for those who qualify, so checking your eligibility is the first step. Beyond schemes, CION offers diagnostic discounts of up to 50% and transparent, written cost estimates, and the team can discuss instalment options for self-paying families. Our government schemes guide explains the basics, and a free consultation is the place to work out the best route for your situation.

Are critical-illness or cancer-specific plans worth it?

They can be valuable, especially alongside a standard mediclaim policy. A critical-illness or cancer-specific plan pays an agreed lump sum when cancer is diagnosed (often at a defined stage), regardless of your actual hospital bills. That money is flexible — it can cover costs a hospitalisation policy does not, such as travel to treatment, lost income during recovery, outpatient medicines and home support. These plans usually pay in addition to a mediclaim claim, so holding both gives broader protection. Read the plan's cancer-stage definitions and any survival or waiting period carefully, as the payout depends on meeting those terms.

How can I make sure my claim goes smoothly?

Preparation is everything. Read your policy before treatment so you know your sum insured, waiting periods, room-rent limits and exclusions, and choose a room within your eligible limit to avoid proportionate deductions. For cashless treatment, start pre-authorisation well before planned surgery or chemotherapy. Keep every document — bills, prescriptions, reports, the diagnosis letter and the discharge summary — organised and complete. Using a hospital experienced with cancer claims helps, because its insurance desk can guide pre-authorisation and paperwork and reduce errors. At CION, the team supports this process so you can focus on treatment rather than on chasing documents.

Can CION help me use my insurance or check a scheme?

Yes. CION offers a free first consultation for all cancer patients, during which a specialist reviews your reports and explains the likely treatment, and the team can help you understand what your policy covers, the waiting periods that apply, and whether cashless treatment is possible at your chosen centre. The insurance desk supports pre-authorisation and claim paperwork where applicable. If you have no policy, the team helps you check eligibility for government schemes like ArogyaSri and Ayushman Bharat, and offers diagnostic discounts of up to 50%. You can book on 1800-202-8726 or request a callback through the form on this page.

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