Yes, your Ayushman card covers cancer treatment. Under PM-JAY you get up to ₹5 lakh per family a year, cashless, for cancer surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy at empanelled hospitals. Find one on hospitals.pmjay.gov.in, carry your Ayushman card and Aadhaar, and call 14555 if a hospital refuses or asks you to pay.
Updated 4 November 2026
A cancer diagnosis is scary enough without worrying about money. Treatment can easily run into lakhs, and many families in India sell land or borrow heavily to pay for it. If you have an Ayushman card, a lot of that cost can be covered. And in early November 2026, new cancer facilities have been reported in Gujarat that make access easier. Here's what's covered, how to use the card, and what to do when a hospital says no.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official portal | NHA PM-JAY and the hospital finder |
| Helpline | 14555 (Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY helpline) |
| Fee | Free at the hospital for covered packages. Cashless up to ₹5 lakh per family per year |
| Deadline | No deadline. Cover resets every year for eligible families |
| Documents | Ayushman card (or its number), Aadhaar, diagnosis reports and doctor's referral |
| 70+ seniors | Ayushman Vay Vandana card gives extra cover to people aged 70 and above |
| Eligibility check | beneficiary.nha.gov.in |
What cancer treatment is covered
PM-JAY's health benefit packages include three big kinds of cancer care:
| Treatment type | Covered under PM-JAY? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer surgery (surgical oncology) | Yes | Removal of tumours, related procedures, hospital stay |
| Chemotherapy (medical oncology) | Yes | Many regimens as day-care or admission; drug cycles are packaged |
| Radiotherapy (radiation oncology) | Yes | At hospitals that have the machines |
| Diagnostic tests linked to treatment | Usually, as part of a package | Biopsies and scans needed for the treatment |
| PET-CT scan | Depends on package and state | Some states have added it; check with the hospital's Ayushman desk |
| OPD visits only | Generally no | PM-JAY is mainly for hospital-based care |
The exact list of packages and rates is set by the National Health Authority and updated from time to time. The hospital's Ayushman Mitra (helpdesk) can tell you which package your treatment falls under.
Maharashtra, for example, has added free PET-CT under its joint scheme. Read our post on free PET-CT scans under MJPJAY.
How to get treatment, step by step
1. Check your eligibility on beneficiary.nha.gov.in or the Ayushman app. Our guide on checking Ayushman eligibility explains it.
2. Get your Ayushman card if you don't have one. See our e-KYC and download guide.
3. Find an empanelled hospital with oncology services on hospitals.pmjay.gov.in. Filter by speciality. We explained how in finding an Ayushman hospital near you.
4. Go to the Ayushman Mitra desk at the hospital with your card, Aadhaar and reports.
5. The hospital seeks pre-authorisation for your package. You shouldn't have to pay for covered treatment.
6. Keep copies of every bill and discharge summary.
Cancer care closer to home: day-care chemo and follow-up
One thing many families don't know is that chemotherapy doesn't always mean a long hospital stay. Many PM-JAY chemo packages are given as day-care, where the patient comes in, gets the drug, and goes home the same day. If the empanelled hospital nearest you offers day-care chemotherapy, ask whether your later cycles can be done there instead of at a big city hospital far away. That saves travel, lodging and lost wages for the attendant.
Follow-up visits matter too. After surgery or radiation, the doctor will ask you to come back at fixed intervals for checks and scans. Mark these dates clearly and don't skip them, even if the patient feels fine. If the follow-up needs a scan that's part of a package, ask the Ayushman desk whether it's covered before you pay for it outside.
What if the ₹5 lakh runs out?
Cancer treatment can be long. If your family's ₹5 lakh is used up in a year, options include:
• State top-up schemes. Many states add extra cover over PM-JAY, such as Haryana's Chirayu or Maharashtra's MJPJAY.
• The Ayushman Vay Vandana card, which gives extra cover for family members aged 70 and above.
• Health Minister's Discretionary Grant and the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi for poor patients at government hospitals.
• Government cancer hospitals and AIIMS, where treatment is heavily subsidised.
Ask the hospital's social worker or Ayushman Mitra about these.
New cancer facilities reported in November 2026
News reports in early November 2026 mention new facilities in Gujarat:
• AIIMS Rajkot: Union Health Minister J P Nadda was reported to have inaugurated a radiotherapy facility on 2 November 2026, worth about ₹39 crore. This means patients in Saurashtra may not have to travel as far for radiation.
• Patan, Gujarat: the P.B. Patan Janata Cancer Hospital was reported to have opened on 1 November 2026, with free PET scans for Ayushman cardholders.
These are based on news reports. Before travelling, call the hospital or check hospitals.pmjay.gov.in to confirm it's empanelled and the service you need is running.
Early detection makes a huge difference too. Our post on free breast cancer screening at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs explains what's available near home. And if you're buying cancer medicines yourself, check our post on new price caps for 137 anti-cancer drugs.
When the hospital says "not covered" or asks for money
This happens more than it should. Here's what to do:
1. Ask the Ayushman Mitra which package was applied and why it's being refused.
2. Ask for the refusal in writing.
3. Call 14555 right from the hospital.
4. File a grievance on the CGRMS portal. Our post on what to do when a hospital refuses your Ayushman card walks you through it.
5. Contact your State Health Agency, whose details are on the PM-JAY website.
Don't pay a cash "deposit" for a covered treatment without asking 14555 first. If you were wrongly charged, keep the receipts, since you may be able to get a refund through the grievance.
A few practical tips for families
• Keep a file with all reports, scan CDs and prescriptions in order.
• Ask the oncologist for a written treatment plan, so you know how many chemo cycles or radiation sessions are planned.
• Check if the hospital has a dharamshala or night shelter for attendants.
• Ask about patient support groups; they often help with travel and paperwork.
You can also take hospital problems to your MP or MLA. Find them on NetaSampark.
Questions to ask the oncologist and Ayushman desk
Before treatment starts, it helps to ask a few simple questions and write down the answers:
• Which package is my treatment booked under, and does it cover all planned cycles?
• Are scans and blood tests during treatment included, or will I pay separately?
• Will medicines given at discharge be free?
• If treatment needs to change midway, will the hospital seek a fresh approval?
Clear answers at the start save a lot of stress, and arguments over bills, later.
Frequently asked questions
Is chemotherapy free on Ayushman card?
Yes, chemotherapy is covered under PM-JAY's medical oncology packages at empanelled hospitals, cashless within your family's ₹5 lakh yearly limit.
Is PET scan covered under Ayushman?
It depends on the package and your state. Some states have added PET-CT, and some hospitals offer it free to Ayushman cardholders. Ask the hospital's Ayushman desk before the scan.
What if the ₹5 lakh runs out?
Look at state top-up schemes, the Ayushman Vay Vandana card for those aged 70 and above, and government help funds like the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi. Government cancer hospitals also offer heavily subsidised care.
Which hospitals treat cancer under Ayushman?
Search hospitals.pmjay.gov.in by state, district and speciality to find empanelled hospitals with oncology services.
Can a hospital ask me to pay for covered cancer treatment?
No. Covered treatment should be cashless. If you're asked to pay, call 14555 and file a grievance with your State Health Agency.
Sources
• National Health Authority: PM-JAY
• PM-JAY empanelled hospital finder
• Ayushman beneficiary eligibility portal