Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme: A Complete Guide

Cashless treatment at Government and private hospitals for eligible Tamil Nadu families, with a proposed rise in cover from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh

A single hospital stay can wipe out a family’s savings. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS), also known as Kapitu Thittam, exists to prevent that. It gives eligible families cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals across the state. This guide explains what the scheme covers, who qualifies, what is changing, and how to enrol and download your health card.

What Is CMCHIS?

CMCHIS is the flagship health insurance programme of the Government of Tamil Nadu. It provides cashless medical treatment to economically eligible families through a network of empanelled Government and private hospitals. It was originally launched in 2009 as the Kalaignar Kaappittu Thittam, and its nodal agency is the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.

A few facts about how it runs today:

• It is currently implemented by United India Insurance Company Limited.
• It benefits around 1.48 crore families across Tamil Nadu.
• It has been integrated with PM-ABHIM and Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to widen access and streamline how beneficiaries are identified.
• The state has extended the scheme for another five years, with coverage continuing up to 2031.

Key Highlights

• Current cover: Cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year
• Proposed cover: ₹25 lakh per family per year (not yet confirmed as implemented)
• Treatments covered: 1,900+ approved procedures, surgeries and treatments
• Hospitals: Empanelled Government and private hospitals
• Mode of application: Online and offline
• Toll-free helpline: 1800 425 3993 (24 hours)

Latest Update: What Is Proposed, and What Is Not Yet Final

The state has proposed major changes through the revised tender provisions for 2027. They are worth knowing about, but they should be read carefully.

Under the proposed arrangement, the insurance company would process claims up to ₹5 lakh, while claims above ₹5 lakh and up to ₹25 lakh would be settled through the CMCHIS Corpus Fund.

Please note: these changes come from the tender document. They should not be treated as fully implemented until the Government of Tamil Nadu issues a final Government Order or revised guidelines. The government has announced that the new ₹25 lakh limit will start only after that official order is issued. Check the official CMCHIS website for the latest confirmed figures before relying on them.

What the Scheme Covers

• Cashless treatment at empanelled Government and private hospitals, with no upfront payment
• More than 1,900 medical procedures, including several high-end surgeries and specialised treatments
• Hospitalisation, diagnostic tests, medicines, surgery charges and follow-up care for eligible treatments
• All approved treatment packages at Government healthcare facilities
• Pre-existing diseases, as per the scheme guidelines
• One family card covering the spouse, dependent children and dependent parents

The practical benefit is simple: at an empanelled hospital, a covered family receives approved treatment without paying for it at the counter, which protects economically weaker families from the financial shock of expensive care.

Who Is Eligible?

To enrol, an applicant generally needs to:

• Be a permanent resident of Tamil Nadu
• Have a name in the State Ration Card Database or NPR Database
• Hold a valid Tamil Nadu Family Ration Card or another prescribed family identification document
• Have an annual family income within the limit (₹1,20,000 at present; ₹2,50,000 proposed)
• Submit an online income certificate issued by the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) or revenue authorities
• Provide a self-declaration from the head of the family to establish eligibility under the revised provisions

The legal spouse, dependent children and dependent parents can be covered, subject to identification and verification. Under the revised scheme provisions, the Government of Tamil Nadu pays the insurance premium for eligible families.

Special Categories

Several groups can also enrol, provided they produce the prescribed identity card, certificate or authorisation letter from the concerned department or authority:

• Differently Abled Welfare Board members
• Recognised press and media persons
• Handloom and Handloom Silk Weaving Workers Welfare Board members
• Sri Lankan Tamil refugees (camp and non-camp)
• Inmates of Government-recognised old age homes
• Orphans and COVID orphans
• Children residing in Child Care Institutions
• Transgender persons
• Institute of Mental Health (IMH) inhabitants
• State Pensioners Board beneficiaries, including old age and widow pensioners

Documents You Will Need

• Valid Tamil Nadu Family Ration Card
• Aadhaar card of the applicant and eligible family members
• Income certificate
• Passport-size photograph
• Mobile number
• Identity card or certificate from the concerned Government department (for special category applicants)
• Any other document requested by the enrolment authority

How to Apply Online

1. Visit the official CMCHIS website and click CMCHIS–PMJAY Apply Now under the Enrolment section.
2. Select the appropriate enrolment category.
3. Enter your Family Ration Card number, or the ID card or letter number issued by your department, and verify the details.
4. If you are eligible, your beneficiary details will appear automatically.
5. Complete the enrolment form with your personal, family and address details.
6. Upload the required documents, such as your Aadhaar card and the prescribed supporting document.
7. Review the information and click Save Enrolment.

After the authority verifies your application, you are enrolled and can get cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals.

How to Apply Offline

1. Go to the nearest Government Hospital, District Headquarters Hospital, Medical College Hospital or authorised CMCHIS enrolment centre.
2. Get the application form there, or download it online.
3. Fill it in with your personal and family details.
4. Attach the required documents, such as the Family Ration Card, Aadhaar card, income certificate (if applicable) and, for special categories, the prescribed identity card or certificate.
5. Submit the form and documents at the centre.
6. Officials verify everything and complete your enrolment.

How to Download Your CM Health Card

Once enrolled, you can generate your e-card online:

1. Open the official CMCHIS beneficiary search page.
2. Enter your Smart Ration Card number, mobile number, or the URL number you received after applying.
3. Click Search to see the policy details and beneficiary names.
4. Select the displayed Policy Number to open the full policy information.
5. Check the Member Details section to confirm your name and your family members are listed.
6. Click Generate E-Card on the policy details page.
7. Check the details on the card, download it and keep a printout for use at the hospital.

Verify your member details before generating the card.

Tips Before You Apply

• Confirm the current limits. Until the final Government Order is out, assume the existing figures of ₹5 lakh cover and ₹1,20,000 income limit unless the official site says otherwise.
• Collect your income certificate early. It is issued online by the VAO or revenue authorities, and you will need it to enrol.
• Check that every family member is listed. Look at the Member Details section before you generate the card, so you do not discover a missing name at the hospital.
• Carry a printed e-card to the hospital. This makes admission smoother.
• Use an empanelled hospital. Cashless treatment applies at empanelled facilities, so check the hospital list on the official portal.

Related Schemes

Families looking for additional government health support can also explore the Chief Minister’s Elderly Health Insurance Scheme, which covers eligible elderly beneficiaries, along with other new state health insurance schemes.

Where to Get Help

• Toll-free helpline: 1800 425 3993 (24 hours)
• Other helplines: 9384020947 and 9384020948
• Helpline timings: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Email: tnhealthinsurance@gmail.com
• If the toll-free line is unreachable: 7373004399, 7373004267, 7373002566 or 9884004437