4 Financial Support Schemes For Cancer Treatment Extended By The Maharashtra Government

If you or a loved one are facing cancer, the government has various programs to help you offset the costs, such as healthcare coverage and other financial assistance options.

Published on: 31 January, 2023

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A cancer diagnosis can be a shocking and frightening experience, and the associated financial strain can add significantly to the psychological stress of an uncertain future. Fortunately, the government offers various programs to help offset the costs of medical treatment for those facing financial hardship.

Here are 4 government schemes offered by the state of Maharashtra to provide treatment aid to cancer patients:

1. State Illness Assistance Fund (SIAF)

Under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) scheme, State Illness Assistance Fund (SIAF) has been set up in many states including Maharashtra. It has been formed in order to provide free treatment to BPL patients suffering from life-threatening diseases including cancer.

It offers coverage up to INR 1 lakh for cancer treatment at government hospitals within the state
Patients undergoing treatment in Maharashtra should be domiciled in the state
The medical estimate, in any case, should not exceed INR 1.50 lakh
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a duly filled and signed application form, BPL Card, residential certificate, and medical estimation letter
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under SIAF, i
- 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 SIAF, here.

2. Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) - Maharashtra

The CMMRF grants financial assistance to patients below poverty line suffering from life-threatening ailments to receive treatment in hospitals in Maharashtra or across the country.

Under this scheme, aid up to INR 50,000 is provided for chemotherapy and dialysis.
Only poor patients with annual income below INR 1.6 lakh, who are not covered by any other state-sponsored health scheme are eligible
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce all original documents such as hospital bills, discharge summary or estimation summary, along with other documents
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under CMRF, if their family is covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESI), Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or any similar existing health-related scheme with provisions for reimbursements

Read more about CMRF, Maharashtra, here.

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

The Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund, set up under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), has been established in 2 Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) in the state of Maharashtra - Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and R.S.T. Hospital & Research Centre, Nagpur.

Financial assistance of up to INR 2,00,000 is provided to a cancer patient from the BPL category
Grants from HMCPF would not be used where treatment/facilities for cancer treatment are available free of cost.
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.

4. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY)

The Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) was initiated by the Maharashtra government to give access to free medical care to the underprivileged and the vulnerable sections of society. The scheme is now integrated with Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana.

MJPJAY provides cashless healthcare services to the beneficiaries for serious illnesses requiring hospitalisation including cancer
Patients undergoing treatment in Maharashtra should be domiciled in the state
Those seeking assistance should hold White/Orange/Yellow Ration Card, Antyodaya Anna Yojana Card (AAY) or Annapurna Card
The scheme provides coverage for meeting all expenses in government and private empanelled hospitals, relating to hospitalisation up to ₹1.50 lakhs per family per year.
The benefit is also available to each and every member of the family on floater basis
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce PAN card / Voter ID / Aadhaar card / nationalised bank passbook with photograph as address proof, driving license / school /college ID, handicap certificate, Tehsildar’s stamps on the applicant’s photograph
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under SIAF, if

- They are not domiciled in the state of Maharashtra
- They do not fulfil the eligibility criteria mentioned here

Read more about MJPJAY, here.

Watch the video:

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Here are 4 government schemes offered by the state of Maharashtra to provide treatment aid to cancer patients:

1. State Illness Assistance Fund (SIAF)

It offers coverage up to INR 1 lakh for cancer treatment at government hospitals within the state
Patients undergoing treatment in Maharashtra should be domiciled in the state
The medical estimate, in any case, should not exceed INR 1.50 lakh
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a duly filled and signed application form, BPL Card, residential certificate, and medical estimation letter
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under SIAF, i
- 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 SIAF, here.

2. Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) - Maharashtra

The CMMRF grants financial assistance to patients below poverty line suffering from life-threatening ailments to receive treatment in hospitals in Maharashtra or across the country.

Under this scheme, aid up to INR 50,000 is provided for chemotherapy and dialysis.
Only poor patients with annual income below INR 1.6 lakh, who are not covered by any other state-sponsored health scheme are eligible
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce all original documents such as hospital bills, discharge summary or estimation summary, along with other documents
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under CMRF, if their family is covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESI), Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or any similar existing health-related scheme with provisions for reimbursements

Read more about CMRF, Maharashtra, here.

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

Financial assistance of up to INR 2,00,000 is provided to a cancer patient from the BPL category
Grants from HMCPF would not be used where treatment/facilities for cancer treatment are available free of cost.
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.

4. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY)

MJPJAY provides cashless healthcare services to the beneficiaries for serious illnesses requiring hospitalisation including cancer
Patients undergoing treatment in Maharashtra should be domiciled in the state
Those seeking assistance should hold White/Orange/Yellow Ration Card, Antyodaya Anna Yojana Card (AAY) or Annapurna Card
The scheme provides coverage for meeting all expenses in government and private empanelled hospitals, relating to hospitalisation up to ₹1.50 lakhs per family per year.
The benefit is also available to each and every member of the family on floater basis
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce PAN card / Voter ID / Aadhaar card / nationalised bank passbook with photograph as address proof, driving license / school /college ID, handicap certificate, Tehsildar’s stamps on the applicant’s photograph
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under SIAF, if

- They are not domiciled in the state of Maharashtra
- They do not fulfil the eligibility criteria mentioned here

Read more about MJPJAY, 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 www.milaap.org or call us on +91 9916174848 to get started now.

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

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