Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (Amma Health Insurance) - CMCHIS

Tamil Nadu, after its significant improvement in the field of human development, holds the record for being one of the leading Indian states. It ranks among the top because of its low mortality rates, and efficient healthcare system and health insurance services. The state has a long track record of innovations in the health sector. One such innovation is the Chief Minister Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS). This scheme aims to offer the best possible medical healthcare especially to the lower income groups in the state of Tamil Nadu. Let us learn more about CMCHIS through this article.

The Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) was launched on July 23, 2009 and was previously known as Kalaingar Kaappittu Thittam. It got revamped in the year 2012. This scheme aims to provide health care facilities to the families in the lower income groups in Tamil Nadu. It is implemented through the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project (TNHSP). The scheme ensures better quality healthcare for the eligible individuals (families who have an annual income below ₹1,20,000) through empanelled government and private hospitals. Over 1.5 crore families have benefited from this scheme (as of 2025), with over 1700 network hospitals and more than 1100 procedures available.

The CMCHIS was introduced by the government of Tamil Nadu in the year 2009 (referred to then as the Chief Minister Kalaignar’s Insurance Scheme for Life Saving Treatments). In 2012, it was changed to CMCHIS and the execution was handed over to the public sector insurance. It was contracted to United India Insurance Company from January 2022 till January 2027.

Some of the notable features of Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme can be given as follows:

• The sum insured under CMCHIS is on family floater basis, meaning all the members of the family who are insured under this scheme can utilize the insured amount.

• Offers the convenience of cashless treatment at authorised hospitals and medical institutes.

• Does not include reimbursement benefits.

• Offers coverage to beneficiaries for general medical and surgical treatments up to the maximum sum insured limit.

• Smart cards can be issued during the registration process.

• Extends benefits to Sri Lankan refugees registered under this scheme without any income limit.

• Offers benefits to orphans who are registered under this scheme.

• Migrants from other states can also join this scheme.

• Ensures seamless assistance regarding services and queries through a toll-free helpline.

After enrolling for CMCHIS, you can avail the following benefits:

Coverage for Medical Emergencies:

Medical emergencies in India come with huge costs due to the increase in the cost of healthcare treatments. This makes it difficult for some families to afford such costs. CM health insurance scheme will help you cover such medical emergencies and get your loved ones treated.

Network Hospitals:

With the help of a large number of network hospitals under CMCHIS scheme, people can reach a medical facility quickly. This helps ensure that the patient gets timely treatment.

Multiple Treatments:

CM health insurance helps cover numerous treatments under a single scheme. Thus, people won’t have to pay out of their pocket so quickly and can avail the treatment free of cost.

Sum insured:

CMCHIS gives coverage of Rs. 5 lakhs for every policy year to each family. This helps them avail minor health treatments.

Additional coverage:

Amma Health Insurance (CMCHIS) provides coverage for follow-up treatments and diagnostic procedures also. This is usually not provided by any typical health insurance policy.

The following things are covered under the CMCHIS:

• Annual Coverage Limit: Up to ₹5,00,000 per family per year on a floater basis.

• Medical Procedures Covered: Over 1,090 procedures, including 8 follow-up treatments and 52 diagnostic tests.

• Network Hospitals: More than 1,700 empanelled hospitals across Tamil Nadu, including government and private institutions.

• Cashless Treatment: Available for both planned and emergency hospitalizations at empanelled hospitals.

• Pre-existing Conditions: Covered from day one without any waiting period.

• Additional Benefits: Includes coverage for post-hospitalization care, diagnostic tests, and follow-up treatments.

The CMCHIS do not cover:

• Residents not from Tamil Nadu (Except Sri-lankan refugees or people who come and reside in the state).

• Individuals who earn ₹72,000 or more annually in a family.

• Family members that are not included in the ration card.

• Immigrants from other states without migration certificates.

• Orphans and rescued females who are not affiliated with registered or unregistered organisations.

Here is a list of major diseases and their treatments that are covered under CMCHIS

The Eligibility criteria for Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme are:

• The scheme is available only for residents living in Tamil Nadu. The applicant must have a family card issued by the government.

• This scheme is available for people who earn less than Rs. 72,000 per year.

• Income certificate must be obtained from the respective village administrative officer (VAO) to establish proof.

• This cover is available for the spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents of the eligible parents.

• The name of dependent family members on the family card is sufficient to include them in the policy cover. No other proof of family relationship is required.

The process for enrolling under the CM Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme is:

• Apply for an income certificate from the VAO.

• Remember to carry your original copy of the Ration Card, along with a photocopy.

• Go to the district kiosk with your Income Certificate and Ration Card.

• The kiosk operator will verify all the documents and capture the biometric details of all beneficiaries.

• Once the biometric details are taken, an e-card carrying the photographs of members will be issued.

The Following documents are required for registering for CMCHIS:

• Aadhar Card (Of all the family members)

• Income Certificate from VAO

• Ration Card

In order to claim CMCHIS, follow these steps

• Visit the enlisted empanelled hospital

• Show your CMCHIS Card

• The hospital will initialize the claim from their end to the insurer company

• Once all the documents are verified, your treatment will be paid in a cashless transaction between the hospital and insurer.

• Beneficiaries do not need to do anything for this, just show the card and present necessary documents at the empanelled hospital.

• You can check your claim status by visiting the CMCHIS website and log in there.

Once you register yourself and your family for CMCHIS, you will be issued a smart card. This smart card will be used to identify yourself at empanelled hospitals under CMCHIS for cashless claims. You can download this smart card as an “e-card” to save multiple copies of the same. In order to download the e-smart card, follow these steps:

• Visit the official CMCHIS website

• Under Enrollment, look for “Member search/e-card”

• Click on instructions

• Click on “Click here to go to the member search page”

• Enter your URN number (found on the smart card) and ration card number

• Enter the remaining details and click on generate e-card.

• Your e-card will be generated and will be available for download.

In order to link an Aadhar card with a URN, follow these steps:

• If you are an existing beneficiary, open CMCHIS Online Tab

• In the given slot, enter your URN number (found on the smart card)

• Check the Aadhar card box, and fill in your Aadhar card number

• Click the Enroll Now button

• The user will be redirected to a page where the beneficiary must add Aadhar card numbers and mobile numbers of their family members

• After entering the aadhar number and your mobile number, click the submit button. The user will receive a OTP

• Enter that OTP in the box provided.

• Your Aadhar card will be linked successfully.

You can contact CMCHIS Officials through:

Toll-Free Helpline: 1800 425 3993 (Available 24/7, support in Tamil)

Email: tnhealthinsurance@gmail.com / cmchis@uiic.co.in​

Official Website: www.cmchistn.com

Address:

• The Project Director 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

Conclusion

Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme has been a pioneer in supporting the economically weaker sections of the society with medical expenses and health check-ups of people living in camps. It covers expenditures for diagnostic tests, critical illnesses as specified in the scheme document, and follow-up treatments. All they need to do is sign up for the scheme to avail the benefits whenever need be.

Reviews of Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHISTN)

“I have been able to enrol for the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme and benefit from it economically while I had taken shelter at the camp.” – Tamraparni Sirisena

“Cashless facilities offered with Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme was very helpful while my husband needed emergency medical care. I can’t think of how I would have arranged so much cash at the last moment had he not been a member of the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme.” – Neera Salunkhe

“I lost my parents to a fatal accident. Thankfully, my parents had enrolled our family under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. The benefits that they offer orphans ensured the financial security that I needed.” – Neeraj Das