The Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) is a flagship state-sponsored health initiative by the Government of Tamil Nadu. It offers cashless medical treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year at empaneled government and private hospitals. The current implementation period runs from 11 January 2022 to 10 January 2027, through United India Insurance Company under the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project (TNHSP).
It aims to reduce financial hardship for low-income families by seamlessly linking to the public health infrastructure and empaneled private medical centers. For instance, Chennai residents earning ₹1,00,000 per year can access cardiac surgery and cancer treatment for free using their CMCHIS card.
This guide is for anyone looking to understand the CMCHIS scheme and its coverage details.
Medical emergencies do not come with a warning. And for families in Tamil Nadu with low income, a single hospitalization can wipe out months of savings. That's exactly what the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) was built to solve.
CMCHIS provides eligible families with access to cashless treatment at government and private hospitals, without any premium payment. You walk in with your CMCHIS card, and the scheme covers the bill up to ₹5 lakh per year.
But here's what most people miss: CMCHIS has a specific enrollment process, a health card you must carry, and a pre-authorization step before treatment. Skip any of these, and you could end up paying out of your own pocket.
This guide breaks down everything, from checking if you qualify to filing a claim, in simple language.
Each eligible family gets up to ₹5 lakh per year on a floater basis. This resets every year, so multiple hospitalizations in a year are covered as long as the total stays within the limit.
Zero Premium
Eligible beneficiaries do not pay a premium for CMCHIS. Approved listed treatments are provided on a cashless basis at empaneled hospitals, subject to package limits and scheme rules.
Wide Hospital Network
Over 2,157 government and private hospitals across Tamil Nadu are empaneled under CMCHIS. This includes hospitals in both urban and rural areas, so access is not limited to major cities.
Wide Procedure Coverage
The scheme covers 2,053 procedures, 52 diagnostic procedures, 44 government-reserved procedures, and 8 high-end procedures.
Did You Know?
CMCHIS has been one of the most consistent state-run health schemes in India. From its launch in 2009 as the Kalaignar Kaappittu Thittam to its current phase under United India Insurance Company (2022 to 2027), the scheme has grown to cover over 1.48 crore families in Tamil Nadu till 2024. It now aligns with Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY), thereby becoming fully integrated into the national health protection framework. Beneficiaries can now link their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) number for smoother, faster claim processing, effective from December 2025.
What Does the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme Cover?
Inclusions
Exclusions
Major surgeries, including cardiac, orthopedic, neurological, and cancer
Outpatient Department (OPD) consultations and routine doctor visits
Dialysis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy
Cosmetic or aesthetic procedures without medical necessity
ICU and critical care hospitalization
Fertility treatments and assisted reproduction
Maternity care and newborn treatment
Self-inflicted injuries or substance abuse-related treatments
52 diagnostic procedures linked to covered treatments
Experimental or unproven treatments
8 follow-up consultations per procedure
Treatment at non-empaneled hospitals
Ambulance and transport charges
Treatments outside Tamil Nadu (except in certain emergency conditions)
Dental procedures (select cases)
Non-medical expenses like food, attendant charges
Note: CMCHIS covers 3 days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days of post-hospitalization expenses related to the admitted illness, for procedures listed under the scheme.
Before we understand how to register, let’s understand who is eligible for the scheme.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, a family must meet the following conditions:
Be a resident of Tamil Nadu with the applicant's name listed on the family ration card.
Have an annual family income below ₹1.2 lakh (verified through an income certificate from the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) or Revenue Authorities).
Sri Lankan Tamil refugees and eligible Sri Lankan Tamils covered under relevant Government Orders, subject to prescribed documentation.
Migrants from other states who have lived in Tamil Nadu for at least 6 months and hold a valid migration certificate are also covered.
Orphans and rescued girls from registered or unregistered organizations are eligible.
Certain groups, including transgender persons, construction workers, street vendors, and destitute women, can qualify without income proof.
Please Note: The "family" here includes the eligible member, their legal spouse, children, and dependent parents.
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How to Register and Get Your CMCHIS Card Online?
Visit your VAO or the nearest Revenue Authority office and get your income certificate. This certificate confirming your family's annual income is required for enrollment. Keep other documents handy, including ration card (family card), Aadhaar card for each family member, passport-size photos of all members, and a self-declaration by the family head.
Go to the official CMCHIS portal. Navigate to the enrolment tab and click apply now.
Start the enrolment process by filling in details like enrolment category
Enter captcha details and add your ration card number to check for eligibility.
If you’re eligible, you’ll get your family’s details automatically, fill those in, and submit.
Once your enrollment is approved (usually within 1 to 2 weeks), log back into the website using your Aadhaar number and family ID to download and print your CMCHIS smart card.
Note: Keep both a digital copy and a printed copy of the card. You will need it every time you visit an empaneled hospital.
Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project (TNHSP), 3rd Floor, DMS Annex New Building, 259 Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai - 600 006, Tamil Nadu.
CMCHIS Project Office
Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, No.226, Om Sakthi Towers, Kilpauk Garden Road, Kilpauk, Chennai-600010, Tamil Nadu
How to Claim Benefits Under CMCHIS?
Planned Hospitalization
Step 1: You can use the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme card at empaneled hospitals and find the full list on the official website.
Step 2: The hospital's CMCHIS help desk will verify your card and submit a pre-authorization request to United India Insurance Company before treatment begins.
Step 3: Aadhaar is used for identity verification and de-duplication, and Aadhaar seeding forms part of the scheme’s beneficiary validation process.
Step 4: Once the request is approved, your treatment proceeds without any payment. The hospital submits the claim directly to the insurer at discharge.
Emergency Hospitalization
Treatment begins immediately without waiting for approval. The hospital files for pre-authorization within 24 hours of admission, and the cashless process begins at that point.
If your authorization is rejected, contact the CMCHIS helpline at 1800 425 3993 immediately. You can also escalate to the TNHSP office if you believe the rejection is incorrect.
Important: Your ABHA number is also captured during the claim process. Linking your ABHA number in advance ensures faster, smoother processing.
Is CMCHIS Coverage Alone Enough for You?
CMCHIS offers strong baseline protection, especially for economically vulnerable families. However, like most government schemes, its benefits, hospital network, and coverage limits can evolve based on policy decisions and budgets.
Private health insurance from insurers like HDFC ERGO provides more consistent and customizable coverage, greater flexibility in hospital choice, and higher sum-insured options.
Take a look at the infographic to understand the difference between private insurers and government schemes:
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CMCHIS provides a strong safety net through free, cashless treatment. However, it may not cover every treatment, hospital, or expense. High-cost care can still exceed package limits or fall outside listed procedures.
For more comprehensive and consistent protection, it is worth considering a personal health insurance plan alongside the scheme. If you are looking for a health plan from insurers with established track records, we recommend the best health insurance plans in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CMCHIS, and who runs it?
CMCHIS stands for Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. It is a free, state-sponsored health program run by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Currently, the scheme is administered by United India Insurance Company under the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project (TNHSP) and is valid until January 2027. CMCHIS is one of India's most consistent and well-run state health schemes. It was originally launched in 2009 as the Kalaignar Kaappittu Thittam and has since grown to cover over 1.48 crore families across Tamil Nadu.
What is the income limit to be eligible for CMCHIS?
To qualify for CMCHIS, your family's annual income must be below ₹1.2 lakh. This income must be verified through an official income certificate issued by the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) or a Revenue Authority. Importantly, certain groups such as transgender persons, construction workers, street vendors, and destitute women can qualify without submitting income proof. Your name must also appear on the family ration card to be considered eligible.
How much coverage does CMCHIS provide per year?
CMCHIS covers each eligible family up to ₹5 lakh per year on a family floater basis. This means the ₹5 lakh limit is shared across all covered family members for that policy year and resets annually. There is no annual premium, no enrollment fee, and no copayment required for covered treatments. At Ditto, we recommend that families understand this is a shared limit, not an individual one, so hospitalization planning matters.
Does CMCHIS cover pre-existing diseases?
Yes, CMCHIS covers pre-existing diseases from day one, with no waiting period. This is a significant advantage over most private health insurance policies, which typically impose a 2 to 3-year waiting period for pre-existing conditions. The scheme covers 2,053 medical and surgical procedures, including dialysis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, cardiac surgeries, and cancer treatments, all from the very first day of enrollment.
How do I register for CMCHIS online and get my health card?
To register for CMCHIS, first get an income certificate from your local VAO or Revenue Authority. Then visit the official CMCHIS portal, go to the enrollment tab, and click apply now. Enter your enrollment category and ration card number to check your eligibility. If eligible, your family details will be pre-filled. After submitting and receiving approval, usually within 1 to 2 weeks, you can log in with your Aadhaar number and family ID to download and print your CMCHIS smart card.
What documents are needed to enroll in CMCHIS?
The key documents required for CMCHIS enrollment are: an income certificate from the VAO or Revenue Authority confirming annual income below ₹1.2 lakh, the family ration card, Aadhaar cards for all family members, passport-size photos of all family members, and a self-declaration by the head of the family. At Ditto, we recommend keeping both a digital and a printed copy of your CMCHIS card once it is issued, as you will need it every time you visit an empaneled hospital.
Which hospitals are covered under CMCHIS for cashless treatment?
Over 2,157 government and private hospitals across Tamil Nadu are empaneled under CMCHIS, spanning both urban and rural areas. This makes cashless treatment accessible even outside major cities like Chennai. You can find the complete list of empaneled hospitals on the official CMCHIS website. Treatment at non-empaneled hospitals is explicitly excluded under CMCHIS, so always verify your hospital's status before admission.
Who counts as family under CMCHIS?
Under CMCHIS, the definition of family covers the eligible primary member, their legal spouse, their children (up to age 25, unless employed or married earlier), and their dependent parents. All of these members can benefit from the scheme's ₹5 lakh annual coverage on a shared, floater basis. This is important to keep in mind, since a major surgery can consume a significant portion of the ₹5 lakh limit for the entire family for that year.
Is CMCHI alone enough, or should I also get private health insurance?
CMCHIS provides strong baseline protection for low-income families, but at Ditto, we recommend evaluating whether it fully meets your needs. CMCHIS has a fixed annual cap of ₹5 lakh, covers only 2,053 listed procedures, and excludes OPD, cosmetic treatments, and non-empaneled hospitals. Private health insurance offers higher sum insured options, broader hospital networks, and consistent coverage across India. If your income exceeds the ₹1.2 lakh eligibility threshold, private health insurance becomes essential. Even if you qualify for CMCHIS, a private top-up plan can offer comprehensive protection.
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