Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Cancer Cover Could Rise to ₹25 Lakh, Study Suggests

Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AYPY) has become a lifesaver for cancer patients. The study by FinCAN, led by Dr. Abhishek Shankar of AIIMS Delhi, says we need to make major policy changes because cancer treatment is a costly affair.

The present limit is ₹5 lakhs every year. This has been proposed to be increased to a revolving fund of ₹25 lakhs for five years. This would allow patients to receive more money during the initial years of treatment. There is also a proposal to give an additional top-up of ₹10 lakhs to patients with advanced cancer.

Currently, diagnostics accounts for only three percent of the total cost, often falling outside the scope of the scheme. The study advocates integrating screening and diagnostics with the National Health Mission's Health and Wellness Centers.

The study revealed that since its launch in 2018, the scheme has covered over 6.8 million cancer treatments, totaling approximately ₹13,000 crore. This scheme has proven to be a boon, especially for rural and low-income groups.

According to The Lancet, the scheme has seen a 90 percent increase in the likelihood of starting treatment within 30 days of diagnosis. The study points to a significant funding gap.

Currently, the annual allocation for cancer under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is approximately ₹7,700 crore. In contrast, according to the FinCAN model, if a full five-year standard treatment plan—including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and follow-up—is provided, approximately ₹33,000 crore (approximately $3.3 billion) would be required annually.

Experts believe that simply increasing the budget is not the solution, but rather that smart spending is required. According to the study, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment could result in annual savings of ₹1,500 crore (approximately $1.5 billion) and save 1,560 additional lives.

It is noteworthy that the government has taken steps in this direction, announcing the establishment of 200 new day-care cancer centers in district hospitals and reducing customs duties on life-saving drugs in the Union Budget 2025-26. However, through early detection and improved financial infrastructure, the Ayushman Bharat scheme could move the country closer to the goal of universal health coverage.