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A diagnosis for a life-threatening disease can be financially and emotionally devastating for families. General health insurance may cover only so much, and other comprehensive plans do not cover expenses for the entire treatment. In such medical emergencies, the government has multiple schemes and funding options in place that provide financial aid on an ad-hoc basis, to help those affected.

Here are 4 national schemes that provide treatment aid to patients with life-threatening diseases, regardless of their age or location.

1. Prime Minister’s The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund provides financial aid to underprivileged patients suffering from major life-threatening diseases, to cover part of their treatment costs and enable them to receive treatment at any government/PMNRF enlisted hospitals
   • PMNRF runs on public contributions and does not receive any budgetary support
   • Funds are allocated on the approval of the Prime Minister
   • To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a duly completed and signed application form addressed to the Prime Minister, copy of income certificate, copy of ration card, two passport-size photographs of the patient, original medical certificate clearly stating the type of disease, and cost estimate of treatment

     Read more about PMNRF, here.

2. Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN)
   Under the umbrella scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, patients living below poverty line and suffering from major life-threatening diseases can avail financial aid and receive medical treatment at any of the 13 enlisted super specialty government hospitals or institutes.
   • Patients receive a one-time grant of INR 2 lakh (up to INR 5 lakh depending on urgency)
   • There is no reimbursement for expenditure already incurred
   • To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a duly completed and signed application form, copy of income certificate and copy of ration card
   • A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under RAN, if
     • Their family is covered under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
     • They or their family member is a government servant
     • They are receiving treatment in a private hospital
       Find the complete list of disease/treatments and hospitals where revolving funds are set up under the umbrella scheme of RAN, here.

        

3. Health Minister’s Cancer Patients Fund (HMCPF)
   The Health Minister’s Cancer Patients Fund, a component of the umbrella scheme of RAN, provides financial assistance to patients below poverty line suffering from cancer and undergoing treatment in any of the 27 enlisted regional cancer centres.
   • Each cancer patient can receive a one-time grant of INR 2 lakh, up to INR 5 lakh depending on urgency
   • There is no reimbursement for expenditure already incurred
   • To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a duly completed and signed application form, copy of income certificate and copy of ration card
   • A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under HMCPF, if:
     • Their family is covered under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
     • They or their family member is a government servant
     • They are receiving treatment in a private hospital
       Read more and find the complete list of hospitals and cancer centres where revolving funds are set up under HMCPF, here.

        

4. Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant (HMDG)
   

   Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant is another component of the umbrella scheme of RAN, providing up to INR 1.25 lakhs to poor and underprivileged patients suffering from rare illnesses, whose annual income is INR 1.25 lakhs or less, to settle a part of the medical expenditure incurred in government hospitals or institutes. 

   • Reimbursement of expenditure already incurred is not authorised 
   • Prolonged treatment involving recurring expenditure is not permissible
   • To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a duly completed and signed application form, copy of income certificate and copy of ration card
   • A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under HMDG, if:
     • The disease is of common nature with inexpensive treatments
     • They or their family member is a government servant
     • They are receiving treatment in a private hospital
       Read more and find the complete list of diseases/treatments and hospitals where revolving funds are set up under HMDG, here.