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:
After enrolling for CMCHIS, you can avail the following benefits:
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.
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.
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.
CMCHIS gives coverage of Rs. 5 lakhs for every policy year to each family. This helps them avail minor health treatments.
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:
The CMCHIS do not cover:
Here is a list of major diseases and their treatments that are covered under CMCHIS
| Medical Specialty | Examples of Covered Diseases/Treatments |
|---|---|
| Cardiology | Acute Myocardial Infarction (MI), Cardiogenic Shock, Arrhythmias, Pericardial Effusion, Pulmonary Embolism |
| Cardiothoracic Surgery | Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), Valve Replacements, Congenital Heart Defect Repairs |
| Neurology | Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Strokes, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), Myasthenia Gravis, Multiple Sclerosis, Meningitis, Encephalitis |
| Neurosurgery | Brain Tumor Resection, Spinal Cord Decompression, Aneurysm Clipping |
| Nephrology | Acute Renal Failure, Chronic Kidney Disease, Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, Kidney Biopsy |
| Urology | Kidney Stones, Prostate Disorders, Urinary Tract Infections |
| Gastroenterology | Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis, Cirrhosis, Hepatic Encephalopathy, Gastrointestinal Bleeding |
| Hepatology | Chronic Hepatitis B & C, Fulminant Hepatic Failure, Budd-Chiari Syndrome |
| Pulmonology | Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Interstitial Lung Disease, Pneumonia |
| Oncology (Medical & Radiation) | Chemotherapy (e.g., AC, FAC, FOLFOX regimens), Radiotherapy (IMRT, 3D-CRT), Palliative Treatments |
| Surgical Oncology | Tumor Resections, Mastectomy, Colectomy |
| Pediatrics | Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Wilson's Disease, Thalassemia Major, Neonatal Sepsis, Pediatric Intensive Care for Severe Infections |
| Neonatology | Preterm Care, Neonatal Jaundice, Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Neonatal Sepsis |
| ENT | Cochlear Implantation, Hearing Aids, Chronic Otitis Media Surgeries |
| Ophthalmology | Cataract Surgery, Glaucoma Management, Retinal Detachment Repair |
| Orthopedics | Fracture Fixation, Joint Replacements, Spine Surgeries |
| Dermatology | Pemphigus Vulgaris, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis |
| Endocrinology | Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Hypopituitarism, Cushing's Syndrome, Acromegaly |
| Rheumatology | Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Scleroderma, Vasculitis, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease |
| Psychiatry | Severe Psychiatric Disorders Requiring Hospitalization |
| General Medicine | Septic Shock, Poisoning Requiring Ventilation, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Cerebral Malaria |
| Interventional Radiology | Angioplasty, Embolization Procedures, Image-Guided Biopsies |
| Plastic Surgery | Burn Management, Cleft Lip and Palate Repair, Reconstructive Surgeries |
| Genitourinary Surgery | Post-Transplant Immunosuppressive Therapy, Urological Surgeries |
| Gynaecology & Obstetrics | Cesarean Sections, Hysterectomy, Management of Obstetric Complications |
| PMR (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) | Rehabilitation for Post-Stroke, Spinal Cord Injuries, Amputations |
The Eligibility criteria for Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme are:
The process for enrolling under the CM Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme is:
The Following documents are required for registering for CMCHIS:
In order to claim CMCHIS, follow these steps
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:
In order to link an Aadhar card with a URN, follow these steps:
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:
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
No, CMCHIS provides cashless hospitalization service.
Yes, Srilankan refugees are eligible for CMCHIS benefits provided they are registered with an associated or non associated organization.
₹5,00,00 is the maximum coverage amount provided under CMCHIS in a year.
You can contact the helpdesk on this Toll-free number – 1800 425 3993
No, this facility is only available in Tamil Nadu through empanelled hospitals across the state.
Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme covers 1,016 procedures inclusive of 23 diagnostic procedures and 113 follow up procedures. Some of these are MRI, ECHO, USG, Mammography, LFT, RFT, Thyroid Profile and Angiocardiogram.
Emergency cases are treated under this scheme. Yes, hospitals are mandated to begin immediate treatment for emergency cases, even before they apply for authorisation. However, they need to initiate the authorisation process within a maximum of 24 hours.
