Ayushman Bharat

The Government of India’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) provides free (cashless) cancer treatment for eligible poor and vulnerable families across India.

Cancer Treatment under Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY)

What is the coverage?

  • Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospitalization
  • Covers secondary & tertiary care, including cancer treatment
  • No limit on family size or age
  • Pre-existing diseases (including cancer) are covered from day 1

Cancer treatments covered

PM-JAY includes a wide range of cancer-related services:

  • ✅ Chemotherapy
  • ✅ Radiotherapy
  • ✅ Cancer surgeries
  • ✅ Targeted therapy (for some cancers)
  • ✅ Diagnostic tests (biopsy, scans, lab tests)
  • ✅ Hospital stay, ICU, medicines, implants
  • ✅ Follow-up care (limited period)

There are multiple predefined treatment packages (30+ for cancer) under the scheme.

Is it really free?

  • Treatment is cashless at empanelled hospitals (government + private)
  • Includes:
    • Medicines
    • Tests
    • Doctor fees
    • Hospital stay
  • However, some non-covered items or upgrades may lead to extra costs in certain cases (rare but possible).

Impact in India

  • Over 68 lakh cancer treatments already done under PM-JAY
  • Worth more than ₹13,000 crore
  • Majority beneficiaries are from rural and low-income groups

Who can get cancer treatment under PM-JAY?

Eligible people include:

  • Families listed in SECC 2011 database
  • Poor & vulnerable households (rural/urban)
  • No income proof required if already listed

Where can you get treatment?

  • At PM-JAY empanelled hospitals across India
  • You can take treatment anywhere in India (portable scheme)

How to use for cancer treatment?

  1. Check eligibility (Ayushman card / Aadhaar)
  2. Visit empanelled hospital
  3. Get verification at Ayushman help desk
  4. Doctor recommends treatment package
  5. Cashless treatment starts

Important points

  • Not every advanced or experimental therapy may be covered
  • Package rates are fixed—premium hospitals may offer limited options
  • Always confirm:
    • What is covered
    • Any extra charges

Summary

Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) is one of the largest free cancer treatment support systems in India, covering major therapies like chemotherapy, surgery, and diagnostics up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. It significantly reduces financial burden for low-income families.