Tamil Nadu has significantly improved access to high-end medical procedures through its State health insurance scheme. More than 18,000 patients have undergone high-end procedures such as organ transplantations under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS), with the State spending more than ₹1,500 crore so far.

The eight high-end procedures covered under the CMCHIS are renal transplantation, liver transplantation, heart transplantation, heart and lung transplantation, lung transplantation (single and double), cochlear implantation, auditory brainstem implantation, and bone marrow transplantation/stem cell transplantation.

According to official data, a total of 18,182 persons have benefitted from January 11, 2012, to November 30, 2025, with the total amount approved under the scheme standing at ₹1,556.35 crore.

Among the procedures covered, renal transplants accounted for the highest number of beneficiaries (6,524), followed by cochlear implants (6,276). In terms of the amount spent, liver transplants incurred the highest expenditure (₹515.83 crore). Under the CMCHIS, ₹22,00,000 is allotted for liver transplantation.

Officials said the cost of treatment, over and above the insured amount of ₹5,00,000 for these procedures, was covered by the CMCHIS Corpus Fund.

The Corpus Fund is augmented by deducting 27% of the CMCHIS claim amount from government hospitals.

M. Edwin Fernando, professor and head of department, Nephrology, Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, said, "Organ transplants can cost a fortune in the private sector. A renal transplant may cost ₹8 lakh to ₹10 lakh in any high-end hospital. In the government sector, the entire process -- starting from donor work-up, recipient work-up, cross match testing and all other investigations to the transplant, post-transplant medications and investigations -- are free for life for a CMCHIS cardholder, who requires kidney transplant and has a near-related donor."

He said it was a boon for persons from the marginalised sections of society. "Finance is not a constraint for them to access procedures such as renal transplants," he added.

Mohan Kameswaran, managing director and chief surgeon, Madras ENT Research Foundation, said more than 5,000 children received cochlear implants under the CMCHIS in the State.

"This is a phenomenal number for a government-sponsored programme. We must remember that all the children who received cochlear implants are from below poverty line families, who never had access to such treatments. The scheme has addressed social disparities. The investment is the most cost-effective as children, who form the future society, have benefitted," he said.

According to him, Tamil Nadu is at the forefront of reaching the most number of children with cochlear implants through the government-sponsored programme.

"Many States have followed the model. From here, we need to do two things. The State should introduce a universal new-born hearing programme, which is already in practice in all developed nations and many developing nations. When we pick up [hearing issues] early, the treatment outcomes are better. Similarly, we need to expand the habilitation network in the State. Children travel long distances for habilitation after cochlear implantation. We now have government medical college hospitals in almost every district, and need to establish satellite habilitation centres to enable better access for children," he said.

State spends more than ₹1,500 cr. on high-end procedures under CMCHIS