Aarogyasri Chemotherapy Packages: — How They Work and What They Cover
Both schemes pay for chemotherapy through pre-defined packages with fixed ceilings. When the ceiling does not cover your full regimen, there is a gap — and knowing how that gap works before treatment starts changes what your family needs to plan for.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Naresh Gundu, Medical Oncologist, MBBS (Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar) · DNB Internal Medicine (Sir Gangaram Hospital, New Delhi) · DM Medical Oncology (AIIMS) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Packages, not open-ended cover — Each scheme pays a set amount per package code. The code corresponds to your regimen and the number of cycles.
- Gap is your responsibility — If your regimen costs more than the ceiling, your family pays the difference before the drug is prepared.
- Pre-authorisation is required — The scheme approves each package before treatment begins. Without pre-auth, the cover does not apply.
- Both schemes use the same logic — Aarogyasri (Telangana) and NTR Vaidya Seva (Andhra Pradesh) use the same package structure, though their ceilings differ.
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Aarogyasri and NTR Vaidya Seva pay for chemotherapy through pre-defined packages. Each package covers a fixed number of cycles of a specific regimen, up to a set ceiling. If your regimen costs more than the ceiling, your family pays the difference. Your treatment team will tell you the gap before your first cycle.
What does a chemotherapy package cover?
| Component | Covered by the scheme | What you may pay |
|---|---|---|
| Chemotherapy drug(s) | Up to the package ceiling for that regimen | Any amount above the ceiling |
| Day-care admission and nursing | Included within the package | Nothing extra if within ceiling |
| Anti-nausea and support medicines (listed) | Included for medicines in the approved list | Unlisted medicines at your expense |
| Investigations on the day of treatment | Included for empanelled tests | Any test outside the empanelled list |
| Medicines between cycles | Not included | Full cost |
| Response assessment scans (e.g. PET-CT) | Only if separately pre-authorised | Out-of-pocket if not pre-authorised |
Aarogyasri versus NTR Vaidya Seva: key differences
| Feature | Aarogyasri (Telangana) | NTR Vaidya Seva (Andhra Pradesh) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it covers | Telangana residents with a valid Aarogyasri card | Andhra Pradesh residents with a valid NTR Vaidya Seva card |
| Package structure | Pre-defined codes per regimen and cycle count | Pre-defined codes per regimen and cycle count |
| Pre-authorisation | Required before each cycle | Required before each cycle |
| Enrolment point | Aarogyasri kiosk at empanelled hospitals | NTR Vaidya Seva kiosk at empanelled hospitals |
| Costs above ceiling | Family pays the gap directly | Family pays the gap directly |
| CION empanelment | CION centres are empanelled | CION centres are empanelled |
How the package authorisation process works
Regimen decided
Your oncologist decides which chemotherapy regimen you need. The regimen maps to a specific package code in the scheme's catalogue.
Package code identified
The billing team identifies the code matching your regimen and the number of cycles planned. This determines the ceiling the scheme will pay.
Pre-authorisation submitted
The hospital submits a pre-authorisation request to the scheme before treatment begins. Claims cannot be filed retrospectively if this step is skipped.
Approval and ceiling confirmed
The scheme confirms the approved amount. Your team tells you the ceiling and, if the regimen costs more, the exact gap your family needs to cover.
Treatment given and claim filed
Chemotherapy is given. The hospital files the claim directly with the scheme; you do not handle that paperwork.
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Know the cost before you commit
An itemised estimate, plus a check of which schemes you may qualify for.
What to bring on your first visit
- Original Aarogyasri card or NTR Vaidya Seva card — not a photocopy
- Aadhaar card of the cardholder and the patient (if they are different people)
- Ration card or other proof linking the patient to the cardholder
- All previous prescription slips and investigation reports
- Any previous oncologist letters or discharge summaries
- A phone number that can be reached on the day
What happens when the package ceiling does not cover your regimen?
Some regimens — particularly those involving newer drugs — cost more than the scheme ceiling for their package code. The gap is real, and your family pays it directly.
Your billing team will calculate the exact gap before your first cycle and tell you the amount you need to bring. The drug is not prepared until that amount is confirmed.
The ceiling is set by the scheme. Neither the hospital nor your oncologist can change it. What they can do is tell you clearly what it is, and whether an alternative regimen covered fully by the scheme is clinically appropriate for your case.
If covering the gap is not possible, say so at the billing stage — not on the day of treatment. Social worker support, charitable funds, and NGO partnerships vary by centre; your CION team can tell you what is available.
Did you know?
Both Aarogyasri and NTR Vaidya Seva require a fresh pre-authorisation before each cycle, not just at the start of treatment.
A single missed pre-auth — even in the middle of a course — can make that cycle ineligible for reimbursement. Your hospital team manages this, but confirming at every visit that the next cycle is already approved is worthwhile.
Source: Aarogyasri Health Care Trust; NTR Vaidya Seva Authority, Government of Andhra Pradesh
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know which package code applies to my chemotherapy?
Your oncologist decides your regimen, and the billing team maps it to its package code in the scheme catalogue. You do not need to find the code yourself. What helps is bringing a clear letter from your oncologist naming the regimen — so the billing team can confirm the match quickly and tell you the ceiling before you commit to starting.
Can I use Aarogyasri if I live in Andhra Pradesh?
No. Aarogyasri is a Telangana government scheme and covers only Telangana residents. If you are from Andhra Pradesh, your scheme is NTR Vaidya Seva. The two are separate schemes with different cards, administered by different state authorities. Check your card before you arrive — the scheme name is printed on it. Going to the wrong counter delays your treatment.
What if my drug is not in the scheme's approved list?
If your specific drug is not covered, the package will not pay for it. Your options are: ask whether a covered alternative is clinically appropriate for your case, pay for the drug privately, or ask whether charitable fund or NGO support is available at your centre. This is a question for the billing stage, not the day of treatment — raise it early so options can be explored.
Do I need a new pre-authorisation for every cycle?
Yes, in most cases. Each cycle requires a fresh pre-authorisation rather than a single approval for the full course. The hospital billing team handles the submission, but it takes a few working days. Treatment cannot proceed without it. Ask at each visit whether the next cycle is already authorised — do not assume it has been done automatically.
What if my income is above the eligibility threshold?
Both Aarogyasri and NTR Vaidya Seva have eligibility criteria based on income and ration card category. If you do not qualify, the scheme cannot be used. Private insurance, employer group cover, or ESIC (if applicable) may be alternatives. Ask the billing coordinator at your CION centre to go through the options — the right answer depends on your specific card and circumstances.
Can CION help if I cannot pay the gap?
Tell your CION social worker or billing team at the earliest stage — not on the day of treatment, when options are very limited. Some centres have access to charitable funds or NGO partnerships that can bridge part of the gap. This support is not guaranteed and varies by centre, but it cannot be arranged if it is not asked for. Asking early keeps more options open.
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