Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE): Composite Medical Health for Transgender Persons
₹5 lakh/year health insurance · transgender persons · includes gender surgery
Transgender persons living anywhere in India are eligible for comprehensive health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per year under this central government scheme, covering gender reaffirmation surgery, hormone therapy, and all transition-related healthcare. Treatment is fully cashless at any empanelled private or government hospital. To access the benefit, obtain a Transgender Certificate from the National Portal for Transgender Persons, then visit any empanelled hospital or Common Service Centre.
About This Scheme
Transgender persons living anywhere in India are eligible for comprehensive health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per year under this central government scheme, covering gender reaffirmation surgery, hormone therapy, and all transition-related healthcare. Treatment is fully cashless at any empanelled private or government hospital. To access the benefit, obtain a Transgender Certificate from the National Portal for Transgender Persons, then visit any empanelled hospital or Common Service Centre.
Full official description
Launched on 12th February 2022, “Composite Medical Health for Transgender Persons” is a component of the “Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons” sub-scheme of the “Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE)” scheme. The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The scheme aims to provide health Insurance coverage to all Transgender persons living in India to improve their health condition through proper treatment including sex re-assignment surgeries as well as medical support. The scheme provides health insurance in the form of Ayushman Bharat Plus, inclusive of gender reaffirmation surgery and comprehensive transition-related healthcare, covering hormone therapy and post-operation formalities, redeemable at all private and government healthcare facilities.
Benefits
- Health insurance cover of ₹5,00,000 (five lakh rupees) per year
- Provided through Ayushman Bharat Plus health insurance
- Covers gender reaffirmation (sex reassignment) surgery as part of the health benefit package
- Covers hormone therapy and all post-operation formalities
- Includes comprehensive transition-related healthcare
- Cashless treatment at all empanelled private and government hospitals
- 100% of approved medical expenditure paid by the Government of India
💡 Why Startups Should Care
If your healthtech startup serves underserved communities, the Ayushman Transgender Health Card is a government-backed payment mechanism — partnering with empanelled facilities to serve this cohort is both mission-aligned and commercially viable.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a Transgender person
- Must possess a Transgender Certificate issued by the National Portal for Transgender Persons (transgender.dosje.gov.in)
- Must not be availing similar healthcare benefits under any other Central or State Government scheme
Exclusions
- Not available to those already availing similar benefits from another Central or State Government scheme
How to Apply
- Obtain your Transgender Certificate from the National Portal for Transgender Persons at transgender.dosje.gov.in (mandatory).
- Visit an empanelled hospital or Common Service Centre (find one at findmycsc.nic.in/csc/).
- Present your Transgender Certificate serial number to the staff for real-time verification.
- After successful verification, you will be issued the Ayushman Transgender Health Card.
- Use this card for cashless treatment at any empanelled private or government hospital.
For queries: 011-20893988 or mahimanisd@gmail.com (general); +91 79 23268279 or tghelp@mail.inflibnet.ac.in (technical).
Frequently Asked Questions
Following the successful completion of the verification procedure, what official document is then issued to the eligible Transgender applicant?
After successful verification of the Transgender Certificate and eligibility, the applicant will subsequently be issued the specific Ayushman Transgender Health card.
Are there any limitations regarding other governmental financial or healthcare support that might disqualify an applicant from receiving these services?
Yes, the beneficiary must not be currently receiving similar health or financial benefits from any other schemes provided by either the Central Government or a State Government.
When receiving treatment at an authorized medical facility, will the individual typically be required to pay for the services upfront or is the process fully managed?
The treatment provided to the beneficiary under this composite medical health scheme shall be entirely cashless. The hospitals submit the bills directly to the National Health Authority.
Does the insurance coverage provided specifically include procedures necessary for gender transition, such as gender affirmation surgeries?
Yes, the provided health insurance, known as Ayushman Bharat Plus, is inclusive of gender reaffirmation surgery within the health benefit package under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.
What specific certification documents must an individual hold to prove their status as a Transgender person eligible for this benefit?
The applicant must be a Transgender person as officially notified by the Government of India and must possess the mandatory Transgender Certificate and Identity Card issued by the National Portal for Transgender Persons.
If a Transgender person wishes to avail of the medical health package but does not currently hold the required certificate, what action should they take?
Such Transgender persons who do not possess the necessary certificate issued by the National Portal shall be redirected to the website to first obtain the certificate so as to become eligible for the health package.
What is the total maximum financial coverage value provided annually to each eligible beneficiary under this specific health care offering?
Each eligible Transgender person receives an insurance cover of ₹5,00,000/- (Five Lakh Rupees) per year under the scheme, provided in the form of Ayushman Bharat Plus health insurance.
What percentage of the total approved expenditure for the medical services provided to the beneficiaries is funded by the Government?
The Government of India fully funds the scheme by providing 100% of the total approved expenditure incurred for providing the Composite Medical Health services to Transgender persons.
Can you detail the comprehensive scope of healthcare services covered, ensuring that transition-related needs are fully addressed?
The Comprehensive Package covers all aspects of transition-related healthcare for Transgender persons. This coverage specifically includes essential treatments like hormone therapy and Sex Re-assignment Surgery.
If I have already successfully obtained the official identity documentation, am I automatically considered eligible to enroll for the associated insurance policy?
Yes, Transgender persons who have already received their official certificates from the National Portal for Transgender Persons would be automatically eligible to receive the health insurance.
At which types of medical institutions, including both public and private, can an eligible beneficiary redeem the transition-related health services?
The services offered under the comprehensive package can be redeemed for treatment and care at all recognized private and government healthcare facilities.
Is the Transgender Certificate issued via the National Portal an absolute prerequisite document for gaining access to the health insurance benefits package?
Yes, the Transgender person certificate issued by the National Portal for Transgender Persons is an absolute mandatory document required to successfully avail the health insurance package.
Does the comprehensive package extend its coverage to include follow-up consultations and necessary procedures after a sex reassignment surgery has been performed?
Yes, the comprehensive package explicitly includes coverage for Sex Re-assignment Surgery, and this inclusion extends to covering necessary post operation formalities.
Once certification is confirmed, what is the primary physical location or administrative center where an applicant can initiate the process of accessing the benefits?
The beneficiary possessing the Transgender Certificate from the National Portal can visit an empanelled hospital or a Common Service Centre (CSC) to initiate the entry and verification of their details.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Transgender Certificate issued by the National Portal for Transgender Persons (mandatory)
- Certificate serial number/registration ID from the National Portal