Aarogyasri: What Covers Your Parent in Andhra Pradesh or Telangana
Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana trace their health cover schemes back to the original Aarogyasri programme, but the two states have run separate, evolving versions since bifurcation. Here's the structure for each, honestly.
What Aarogyasri Covers
Both schemes aim to give eligible families cashless secondary and tertiary treatment at network hospitals, generally covering below-poverty-line and near-poverty-line households, though the exact package list, cover ceiling, and eligibility threshold differ between the two states and are reviewed periodically by each state government separately.
Who Qualifies
In both states, eligibility is generally tied to existing ration-card category or income-certificate records rather than a fresh means test done at the hospital. Since Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have run their schemes independently since bifurcation, a family's eligibility under one state's rules doesn't automatically transfer if they've moved to the other.
How to Check Eligibility & Enrol
- Ask at the "Arogya Mitra" or patient-help desk of any empanelled government or PM-JAY-network hospital — this is usually the fastest, most reliable way to check eligibility in person, since staff there check schemes daily.
- Call the National Health Authority helpline (14555) for PM-JAY-linked questions, or search for "Aarogyasri official portal" or "Aarogyasri helpline" for state-specific enrolment support.
- Visit a Common Service Centre (CSC) if one is more convenient than a hospital — many handle scheme enrolment and card issuance alongside other government services.
- Bring identity and ration-card / income documents your parent already has — most schemes check eligibility against existing government records rather than requiring new paperwork.
How This Relates to Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY)
Both states' schemes have, at various points, run alongside or been folded into PM-JAY arrangements — the precise current relationship between each state scheme and the central programme is one of the details worth confirming fresh, since it has shifted more than once since bifurcation.
Regardless of Andhra Pradesh & Telangana-specific rules, remember: every Indian citizen aged 70 or above qualifies for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card — free ₹5 lakh cover, no income test — on top of any state scheme. See our full Ayushman Bharat guide for how to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aarogyasri the same in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana?
No. Both states trace back to the original combined Aarogyasri scheme before Andhra Pradesh and Telangana split, but each has since run its own separate, evolving version — don't assume rules or cards from one state apply in the other.
Which scheme applies if my parent has moved between AP and Telangana?
Eligibility is generally tied to current state residency and that state's own records, not carried over automatically from the other state. Check directly with an empanelled hospital in the state your parent currently lives in.
What if my parent is 70 or older?
They separately qualify for the central Ayushman Vay Vandana Card (₹5 lakh free cover, no income test) regardless of the state scheme — see our Ayushman Bharat guide for how to apply.
Where to Go Next
The central scheme every senior qualifies for, regardless of state.
Understand every line on the bill once you're admitted.
An independent comparison for parents aged 70+.
Back to the full list of guides for families living in India.