Ayushman Bharat Cancer Treatment at CMC Vellore 2026: Does the PM-JAY Card Work There — Complete Guide

For people of West Bengal, CMC Vellore (Christian Medical College, Vellore) is a first choice for advanced cancer treatment. But until recently the question remained — the Swasthya Sathi card does not work in Vellore, so how would you manage treatment costing 5–10 lakh rupees? The answer changed after Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) was launched in West Bengal on 16 August 2026: the Ayushman card works cashless at CMC Vellore and any other empanelled hospital in the country.

Why the Ayushman Card Works in Vellore but Swasthya Sathi Does Not

Here lies the fundamental difference between the two cards:

Swasthya Sathi is the West Bengal government’s own scheme, so its funds and rules are limited to the state’s hospitals. Ayushman Bharat is a central scheme — the same card is portable everywhere, from Kerala to Kashmir, Mumbai to Guwahati. This is the Ayushman card’s biggest advantage for major treatment.

Which Cancer Treatments Are Covered at CMC Vellore?

PM-JAY’s package list (about 2,000 packages across 27 specialties) broadly covers cancer treatment:

• Chemotherapy — each session as a separate package (rates vary by cancer location and line)
• Radiation therapy — course-based packages
• Cancer surgery — operations for oral and throat cancer, breast cancer, gastric, colon, gynaecological, and more
• Bone marrow transplant (in specific indications) — the BMT package is on the PM-JAY list
• Diagnostic support — tests included within the package

Remember: PM-JAY covers up to ₹5,00,000 per family per year. For long cancer treatment (especially modern immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and high-end PET-CT-based protocols), not all costs may fall within this limit. The hospital states in advance which portion is not covered — get a written estimate before admission.

What to Do Before Going to Vellore: Step by Step

1. Create an Ayushman card — if you live in West Bengal, complete e-KYC on the beneficiary.nha.gov.in portal or the Ayushman App and download a separate Ayushman card for each member. To learn the process, read: Swasthya Sathi to Ayushman Bharat port guide.
2. Book an appointment with CMC — book an appointment in the relevant department (Oncology/Surgery) through CMC Vellore’s official portal.
3. Verify eligibility at the Ayushman desk — before admission, scan your card at the hospital’s Ayushman (PM-JAY) desk to verify enrolment and discuss the required package.
4. Pre-authorization — once the doctor writes the treatment plan, the hospital applies for pre-authorization on the PM-JAY portal; cashless treatment begins only after approval. For chemotherapy, approval must be obtained again for each session.
5. Keep your papers ready — Ayushman card, patient’s Aadhaar, copies of biopsy/imaging reports and the prescription.

What If You Are Not on the Ayushman List?

If you are a Swasthya Sathi family but not on the PM-JAY list, the state’s MMSBY (Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana) is available — it also offers ₹5 lakh top-up coverage. Details: Apply online for MMSBY and MMSBY eligibility rules.

Caution

• Creating an Ayushman card and verifying portability — all free. Do not pay a single rupee to agents or touts.
• Never share your Aadhaar OTP with anyone — not even someone claiming to be an “NHA employee.”
• Get a written estimate before admission and clearly establish which portion is cashless and which is out of pocket.
• Helplines: 14555 (Ayushman Bharat) or 1800 345 5384 (Swasthya Sathi).

Related articles: Ayushman Bharat’s limits and realities in open-heart surgery and Guide to Swasthya Sathi treatment at AIIMS Delhi.