Government-Sponsored Schemes For Cancer Patients in Kerala - Free Crowdfunding for India | #1 Fundraising website in India

6 Ways The Kerala Government Can Assist You With Covering the Costs of Cancer Treatment

6 Ways The Kerala Government Can Assist With Covering the Costs of Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatment is expensive, but help is available. The government offers various programs to assist with the cost of cancer care.

Published on: 30 January, 2023

A cancer diagnosis is a devastating shock that can lead to immense psychological distress, especially if you worry about affording the necessary treatments. Fortunately, the government has put in place various programs to provide financial assistance and help ease the burden of medical costs. It is important to be aware of these resources and reach out for help if needed.

Here are 6 government schemes offered by the state of Kerala to provide treatment aid to cancer patients:

1. 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 the enlisted Regional Cancer Centres (RCC) in the state - Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.

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 expenses 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 about HMCPF, here.

2. Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund

Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund is an emergency assistance scheme for granting relief to deserving families and individuals affected by natural calamities or loss of life of relatives due to accidents or for medical treatment for major diseases.

Funds are allocated on the approval of the Chief Minister
Persons suffering from cancer can apply for the same financial assistance again after a period of two years.
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a duly completed and signed application form, passport-size photo of patient, BPL card, EPIC and Aadhar card, original final hospital bill and discharge summary or estimation summary
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under this scheme, if
- Their family is covered under Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESI), Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or any similar existing health-related scheme with provisions for reimbursements
- Annual family income exceeds INR 1 lakh

Read more about the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund, here.

3. Cancer Suraksha Scheme

Under this scheme, children under 18 years in the BPL category would be given free treatment for cancer through designated government hospitals in the state. All expenditures for investigations and treatment will be met from this scheme.

This scheme is meant to cover the cost of drugs, investigations, procedures, implants, etc. which the government does not cover in other schemes already
The ceiling of expenditure per child would be initially INR 50,000
This scheme will not cover rent of pay wards, procurement of expensive drugs, investigations etc
Those patients found eligible would be registered under the scheme and a ‘Patient Card’ would be issued to them
This scheme can be availed for a duration of one year
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a confirmed diagnosis of cancer, BPL card, Aadhaar card and other relevant documents.
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under this scheme, if
- They are above 18 years of age
- They are already availing free treatment in a government hospital
- They are eligible for medical reimbursement from other sources or have medical insurance are not eligible for this scheme.
- They are not domiciled in Kerala

Read more about the Cancer Suraksha Scheme, here.

4. Karunya Benevolent Fund

The Karunya Benevolent Fund is an assurance scheme of the Kerala government which provides financial aid for poor people suffering from serious ailments, by raising funds through the Kerala State Lottery. The scheme is managed by the State Lotteries Department (Taxes). All costs are incurred by the state government.

This scheme is applicable to those with an annual family income of less than INR 3 lakhs
Cancer patients can avail up to INR 2 lakhs
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce their ration card, income certificate and Aadhar card

Read more about the Karunya Benevolent Fund, here.

5. Sukrutham Scheme

Under this scheme, free treatment is provided to cancer patients, and is presently available at empanelled hospitals in the state.

Those holding BPL (below-poverty line) cards as well as those covered by the Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, the national health insurance scheme, are eligible
The government will supply drugs and consumables to all the hospitals under the Sukrutham scheme
Children suffering from cancer can avail free education under this scheme
The maximum benefit that can be availed is INR 3 lakhs
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce proof of cancer diagnosis, ID proof, ration card, Aadhar card, and residential proof

Read more about the Sukrutham Scheme, here.

6. Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS) Plus

The Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS) Plus, implemented by the Comprehensive Health Insurance Agency of Kerala (CHIAK) is aimed at the poor and economically-weaker sections of society, who are suffering from diseases such as cancer.

CHIS Plus scheme allows the beneficiaries to claim treatment expenses at any government medical college hospital and general hospitals in the state
Cancer patients can claim an amount of INR 70,000 in addition to INR 30,000 worth of treatment ensured by the smart card.
The hospitals where the beneficiaries seek treatment can directly claim the cost of treatment up to INR 1 lakh.
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a declaration form with details of the family members’ income certificate, passport-size photograph, ration card, Aadhar card, and residential certificate.
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under this scheme, if they are in any other government health insurance scheme in India or are eligible for reimbursement of treatment expenses via any other means

Read more about the CHIS Plus Scheme, here.

1. Health Minister’s Cancer Patients Fund (HMCPF)

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 expenses 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 about HMCPF, here.

2. Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund

Funds are allocated on the approval of the Chief Minister
Persons suffering from cancer can apply for the same financial assistance again after a period of two years.
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a duly completed and signed application form, passport-size photo of patient, BPL card, EPIC and Aadhar card, original final hospital bill and discharge summary or estimation summary
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under this scheme, if
- Their family is covered under Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESI), Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or any similar existing health-related scheme with provisions for reimbursements
- Annual family income exceeds INR 1 lakh

Read more about the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund, here.

3. Cancer Suraksha Scheme

This scheme is meant to cover the cost of drugs, investigations, procedures, implants, etc. which the government does not cover in other schemes already
The ceiling of expenditure per child would be initially INR 50,000
This scheme will not cover rent of pay wards, procurement of expensive drugs, investigations etc
Those patients found eligible would be registered under the scheme and a ‘Patient Card’ would be issued to them
This scheme can be availed for a duration of one year
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a confirmed diagnosis of cancer, BPL card, Aadhaar card and other relevant documents.
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under this scheme, if
- They are above 18 years of age
- They are already availing free treatment in a government hospital
- They are eligible for medical reimbursement from other sources or have medical insurance are not eligible for this scheme.
- They are not domiciled in Kerala

Read more about the Cancer Suraksha Scheme, here.

4. Karunya Benevolent Fund

This scheme is applicable to those with an annual family income of less than INR 3 lakhs
Cancer patients can avail up to INR 2 lakhs
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce their ration card, income certificate and Aadhar card

Read more about the Karunya Benevolent Fund, here.

5. Sukrutham Scheme

Under this scheme, free treatment is provided to cancer patients, and is presently available at empanelled hospitals in the state.

Those holding BPL (below-poverty line) cards as well as those covered by the Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, the national health insurance scheme, are eligible
The government will supply drugs and consumables to all the hospitals under the Sukrutham scheme
Children suffering from cancer can avail free education under this scheme
The maximum benefit that can be availed is INR 3 lakhs
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce proof of cancer diagnosis, ID proof, ration card, Aadhar card, and residential proof

Read more about the Sukrutham Scheme, here.

6. Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS) Plus

CHIS Plus scheme allows the beneficiaries to claim treatment expenses at any government medical college hospital and general hospitals in the state
Cancer patients can claim an amount of INR 70,000 in addition to INR 30,000 worth of treatment ensured by the smart card.
The hospitals where the beneficiaries seek treatment can directly claim the cost of treatment up to INR 1 lakh.
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a declaration form with details of the family members’ income certificate, passport-size photograph, ration card, Aadhar card, and residential certificate.
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under this scheme, if they are in any other government health insurance scheme in India or are eligible for reimbursement of treatment expenses via any other means

Read more about the CHIS Plus Scheme, here.

If you find that you are not eligible to benefit from any of the above mentioned schemes, medical crowdfunding is also an option that is available to you. In times of need, support means everything, and with Milaap, you need not look any further. Milaap enables you to set up a fundraiser for any medical emergency within minutes, and you can easily raise funds for treatment expenses.

Do you know someone who could benefit from fundraising? Simply refer them to us and we’ll be happy to lend a hand. Visit www.milaap.org or call us on +91 9916174848 to get started now.

For more information, write to us at cx@milaap.org.

Do you know someone who could benefit from fundraising? Simply refer them to us and we’ll be happy to lend a hand. Visit http://www.milaap.org or call us on +91 9916174848 to get started now.

For more information, write to us at cx@milaap.org.