Patiala: Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCH&RC), Punjab, has introduced cashless cancer treatment through public and private third-party health insurers at its New Chandigarh and Sangrur campuses. HBCH&RC, a unit of Tata Memorial Centre under Govt of India’s Department of Atomic Energy, said the initiative would make cancer treatment more accessible and reduce financial inconvenience for patients.Director Dr Ashish Gulia said Sangrur had become the first public-sector hospital in rural Punjab to offer the facility through health insurance. Patients with private health insurance can now avail themselves of cashless cancer treatment and diagnostic services through empanelled insurers, subject to their policy terms. After the required approval, admissible hospital bills will be settled directly by the insurer. Earlier, patients had to submit documents and bills to insurers for reimbursement. Cashless treatment was previously available primarily to beneficiaries of 15 govt healthcare schemes, including Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation and Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme. Around 10,000 beneficiaries received cashless treatment under govt healthcare schemes at the two campuses in financial year 2025-26.
