Ayushman Bharat and — Chemotherapy: What Is Covered
Ayushman Bharat covers chemotherapy packages at empanelled hospitals, but the cover depends on which hospital you are at, which packages apply to your treatment, and whether you have the right documents on the day.
Medically reviewed by Dr. N. Kiranmayee, Medical Oncologist · Last reviewed September 2026
- Most chemotherapy packages are covered — Day-care and inpatient chemotherapy cycles are included within defined package limits at empanelled hospitals.
- The hospital must be empanelled — Cover applies only at hospitals registered under the scheme. Treatment at a non-empanelled centre is out of pocket.
- State schemes work alongside it — In Telangana, Aarogyasri, and in Andhra Pradesh, NTR Vaidya Seva, often add cover at the same hospital.
- Pre-authorisation is required — Your hospital's Arogya Mitra or scheme coordinator raises pre-authorisation before each cycle begins.
on Panel
Survival Rate*
Treated
(800+ reviews)
Ayushman Bharat covers chemotherapy packages at empanelled hospitals. The scheme aims to meet day-care and inpatient chemotherapy costs within defined package limits. In Telangana, Aarogyasri often works alongside it. In Andhra Pradesh, NTR Vaidya Seva does the same. Whether your hospital is empanelled is what determines whether the cover applies to you.
What are the indicative costs, and what do the schemes cover?
| Item | Indicative cost without scheme (2025) | With Ayushman Bharat or state scheme at an empanelled centre |
|---|---|---|
| Day-care chemotherapy cycle | ₹10,000–₹40,000 per cycle | Covered within package ceiling; ask your coordinator for the specific package code |
| Inpatient stay for complications | ₹20,000–₹80,000 or more | Covered under inpatient cancer packages within scheme limits |
| Supportive medicines (anti-nausea, etc.) | ₹3,000–₹20,000 per cycle | Included in some packages; others need prior authorisation — confirm before each cycle |
| Diagnostic scans | ₹6,000–₹15,000 per scan | Covered under relevant diagnostic packages; CION coordinates scans with partner imaging centres |
| Medicines not on the scheme formulary | Full price — varies widely | Not covered; out-of-pocket even with a valid card — your coordinator will identify these in advance |
How does the scheme actually work at the hospital?
You do not pay in advance at an empanelled hospital. The hospital raises a pre-authorisation request to the scheme before each cycle, and the scheme pays the hospital directly within the covered package.
Your first contact at the hospital should be the Arogya Mitra or the Ayushman Bharat scheme coordinator. They check your eligibility, raise the pre-authorisation, and tell you which costs fall inside and outside the package.
If a medicine or service is not on the approved list, you will be told before it is given. You can then decide whether to proceed out of pocket, or ask whether a covered equivalent exists.
Where to find us
Our centres in and around Hyderabad
Addressed by landmark, because that is how this city navigates. Each centre also names the areas it serves, so you can place it without a map. Consultation and day-care Chemotherapy run at every one of them.
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. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
Want a specific doctor for your case? Mention them when booking.
Book Free ConsultationBook an appointment with our specialist
Share your name and number — we'll call you back within 30 minutes to schedule your consultation.
Care closer to home
35+ centres, so most treatment does not mean relocating to a metro.
What documents do you need to bring?
Bring your Ayushman Bharat card (physical or e-card from the PM-JAY portal) and your Aadhaar. If you are in Telangana, bring your Aarogyasri card alongside them. In Andhra Pradesh, bring your NTR Vaidya Seva card.
If you are visiting for the first time, also bring any previous cancer reports, your biopsy report if available, and a referral or discharge summary if you are being sent from another hospital.
Lost your card? Your Aadhaar number alone is often enough to verify eligibility on the spot, but call ahead to confirm, because not all coordinators can process it the same way.
How do the three main schemes compare for chemotherapy?
| Feature | Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) | Aarogyasri — Telangana | NTR Vaidya Seva — Andhra Pradesh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who is eligible | Families in the bottom two income quintiles listed in the SECC database | Families below the poverty line in Telangana with an Aarogyasri card | Families below the poverty line in Andhra Pradesh with an NTR Vaidya Seva card |
| Annual ceiling (indicative, verify with coordinator) | Up to ₹5 lakh per family — indicative, 2025 | Varies by package; cancer packages often have higher limits — check with coordinator | Varies by package — check with your hospital coordinator |
| Chemotherapy cover | Day-care and inpatient cycles covered at empanelled hospitals | Day-care and inpatient cycles covered at government and enrolled private hospitals | Day-care and inpatient cycles covered at government and enrolled private hospitals |
| Can both schemes be used together? | Yes — state scheme often tops up beyond the PM-JAY ceiling at hospitals enrolled in both | Yes — works alongside PM-JAY where the hospital is enrolled in both | Yes — works alongside PM-JAY where the hospital is enrolled in both |
| Key document needed | PM-JAY card and Aadhaar | Aarogyasri card and Aadhaar | NTR Vaidya Seva card and Aadhaar |
Did you know?
Cancer care is one of the highest-value claim categories under Ayushman Bharat, according to the National Health Authority.
Empanelled hospitals are required to provide cashless treatment within the package. If you are being asked to pay upfront for a covered package, ask to speak to the scheme coordinator before paying.
Source: National Health Authority, Government of India — PM-JAY scheme documentation
Explore 93 more Chemotherapy in Hyderabad: Cost, Centres & Access topics
Cost, Insurance & Schemes
- Aarogyasri Chemotherapy Packages: How They Work
- Ayushman Bharat and Chemotherapy
- Budgeting for the Whole Cancer Treatment Journey
- CGHS, ESI and Employer Cover for Chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy Cost by Regimen
- Chemotherapy Cost in Hyderabad: The Full Breakdown
- Comparing Chemotherapy Quotes Between Centres
- Cost Per Cycle vs Cost of the Whole Course
- Does Cheaper Chemotherapy Mean Worse Treatment?
- Financial Help and Crowdfunding for Chemotherapy
- Free and Subsidised Chemotherapy in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
- Hidden Costs Across a Chemotherapy Course
- How to Reduce Chemotherapy Costs Without Compromising Treatment
- Is Chemotherapy Covered Under Aarogyasri?
- Is Chemotherapy Covered by Health Insurance?
- NTR Vaidya Seva and Chemotherapy Coverage
- Oral Chemotherapy and Insurance: The Coverage Gap
- Pre-Authorisation for Each Chemotherapy Cycle
- The Cost of Travelling for Chemotherapy From a District
- What Happens If the Money Runs Out Mid-Treatment?
- What Is Actually Included in a Chemotherapy Bill?
- Why Chemotherapy Insurance Claims Get Rejected
- Why the Chemotherapy Bill Was More Than Quoted
Chemotherapy in Hyderabad: Access & Services
- Aarogyasri-Empanelled Chemotherapy Centres in Hyderabad
- Accommodation Near Cancer Centres in Hyderabad
- Ambulance Services in Hyderabad for Cancer Patients
- Arranging Blood Donors in Hyderabad
- CION Cancer Clinics Locations and Access in Hyderabad
- Cancer Support Groups in Hyderabad
- Chief Minister's Relief Fund for Cancer Treatment
- Cost of Living in Hyderabad During Treatment
- Diagnostic Labs for Chemotherapy Monitoring in Hyderabad
- Early Morning Chemotherapy Slots and Hyderabad Traffic
- Emergency Care During Chemotherapy in Hyderabad at Night
- Financial Assistance Organisations in Hyderabad
- Food and Tiffin Services for Patients in Hyderabad
- Generic Cancer Drug Pharmacies in Hyderabad
- Getting a Second Opinion in Hyderabad
- Getting to Your Chemotherapy Appointment in Hyderabad
- Government Cancer Treatment in Hyderabad
- Home Nursing for Chemotherapy Patients in Hyderabad
- Low-Cost and Free Stay for Cancer Patients in Hyderabad
- NTR Vaidya Seva in Hyderabad for Andhra Pradesh Patients
- Oncology Dietitians in Hyderabad
- Palliative Care and Hospice Services in Hyderabad
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Hyderabad
- Platelet and SDP Availability in Hyderabad
- School and College Continuation During Treatment in Hyderabad
- Telugu-Speaking Support and Counselling in Hyderabad
- Where Chemotherapy Is Available in Hyderabad
- Where to Buy Subsidised Cancer Drugs in Hyderabad
- Wigs, Scarves and Head Coverings in Hyderabad
Choosing a Centre & Safe Administration
- Can Chemotherapy Be Given Closer to Home?
- Changing Centres Mid-Treatment
- Day-Care Chemotherapy Units: What to Look For
- Does the Centre Need an Oncology Pharmacy?
- Emergency Cover: What Happens at 2am?
- Getting Your Written Treatment Plan
- Getting a Second Opinion Before Starting Chemotherapy
- Government vs Private Chemotherapy: An Honest Comparison
- Home Infusion Chemotherapy: Is It Safe?
- How to Choose a Chemotherapy Centre
- Questions to Ask Before Starting Chemotherapy at a Centre
- Red Flags When Choosing a Chemotherapy Provider
- Trained Chemotherapy Nurses: Why It Matters
- Travelling to Hyderabad for Chemotherapy: Practical Planning
- Tumour Board Review Before Starting Chemotherapy
- Why Safe Administration Matters More Than the Drug
HUB — Chemotherapy Cost in Hyderabad
HUB — Chemotherapy in Hyderabad
HUB — Choosing a Chemotherapy Centre and Safe Administration
Travelling to Hyderabad for Chemotherapy
- Can Some Chemotherapy Cycles Be Given Near Home?
- Carrying Your Records Between Centres
- Chemotherapy From Adilabad and the Far North
- Chemotherapy From Karimnagar: Travel, Cost and Planning
- Chemotherapy From Khammam: Travel, Cost and Planning
- Chemotherapy From Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda
- Chemotherapy From Nizamabad: Travel, Cost and Planning
- Chemotherapy From Suryapet, Siddipet and Peddapalli
- Chemotherapy From Warangal: Travel, Cost and Planning
- Chemotherapy in Hyderabad From Guntur and Ongole
- Chemotherapy in Hyderabad From Kurnool and Anantapur
- Chemotherapy in Hyderabad From Nellore, Tirupati and Kadapa
- Chemotherapy in Hyderabad From Rajahmundry and Kakinada
- Chemotherapy in Hyderabad From Vijayawada
- Chemotherapy in Hyderabad From Visakhapatnam
- Planning the Journey Around the Cycle
- Should You Relocate to Hyderabad for the Whole Course?
- Travelling Safely When Blood Counts Are Low
- Travelling to Hyderabad for Chemotherapy: Planning the Whole Course
- What to Do If You Fall Ill Back Home Between Cycles
- Which Blood Tests Can Be Done Locally?
- Which Scheme Applies: Aarogyasri or NTR Vaidya Seva?
Still not sure what applies to you?
Send your reports across and a senior medical oncologist will go through what they mean, what is known, and what the options actually are.
Frequently asked questions
Is CION empanelled under Ayushman Bharat?
CION Cancer Clinics operates across more than 35 centres in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and empanelment status varies by centre and is updated periodically. The most direct way to confirm is to call the CION centre you plan to visit and ask whether it is currently empanelled under PM-JAY, Aarogyasri, or NTR Vaidya Seva. Bringing your card and Aadhaar on your first visit allows the scheme coordinator to check eligibility on the spot.
What if my treatment costs more than the scheme ceiling?
If your treatment cost exceeds what the scheme covers, the balance is your responsibility unless a second scheme can cover it. In Telangana, Aarogyasri can sometimes extend cover beyond the Ayushman Bharat ceiling at hospitals enrolled in both. In Andhra Pradesh, NTR Vaidya Seva can do the same. Ask your scheme coordinator before you start treatment what the ceiling is for your specific package and what happens if you reach it, so there are no surprises mid-course.
Can I use Aarogyasri and Ayushman Bharat at the same time in Telangana?
Yes, at hospitals enrolled in both schemes. The Ayushman Bharat cover applies first, and Aarogyasri can top up the remaining cost beyond the PM-JAY ceiling in many cases. The hospital coordinator handles how the two claims are raised — you do not need to manage this yourself. Bring both cards and your Aadhaar so the coordinator can process whichever combination applies.
My card says a different scheme name. Is it still valid?
Check the card carefully. In Andhra Pradesh, the correct current scheme is NTR Vaidya Seva. Schemes have been renamed over time, and presenting an old name at the counter can cause delays or a rejected claim even if you are genuinely eligible. Your Aadhaar number is the fastest way to look up your current status. If there is any doubt, visit the nearest government health centre or ask the scheme coordinator at your hospital before your appointment.
What happens if pre-authorisation is rejected?
Ask the scheme coordinator to explain the specific reason. Common reasons include an expired card, a package that does not match the treatment requested, or missing supporting documents. In most cases, the issue can be resolved by providing the missing information and reapplying. If the rejection stands, ask whether a formal grievance can be raised through the scheme's process. Do not start a cycle assuming the claim will be approved after the fact.
Are oral chemotherapy tablets covered under Ayushman Bharat?
Some oral chemotherapy packages are listed under PM-JAY, but coverage depends on the specific tablet, the cancer type, and the package your treatment falls under. The hospital's scheme coordinator can check whether your treatment has a covered package. If oral chemotherapy is not covered, ask your oncologist whether a covered alternative exists. If it does not, the cost is out of pocket even with a valid scheme card.
Chemotherapy Topics
Browse our complete chemotherapy guide — 1133 pages on side effects, medicines, cost, daily life and care in Hyderabad. Tap any topic to read more.