3 Government Financial Support Schemes For Patients Grappling With Cancer In Tamil Nadu

If you or a loved one are facing cancer, the government has various programs to help you offset the costs.

Published on: 6 February, 2023

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 3 national schemes offered by the state of Tamil Nadu to provide treatment aid to cancer patients:

1. Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme

Under this scheme, families under the BPL category would be given insurance cover via empanelled hospitals in the state. This scheme aims to reduce the financial hardship of enrolled families in case of health emergencies or unexpected diagnoses of severe illnesses like cancer.

The scheme seeks to provide cashless hospitalisation for specific ailments/procedures
It provides coverage up to INR 5 lakhs per family, per year on a floater basis for the ailments and procedures covered under the scheme.
Annual family income should be less than INR 1.2 lakhs per annum.
This scheme can be availed for a duration of one year
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a family card, Aadhaar card and income certificate by the VAO/Revenue Authorities along with the self-declaration of the head of the concerned family.
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under this scheme, if
- They are already availing free treatment in a government hospital
- They are eligible for medical reimbursement from other sources or have medical insurance
- They are not domiciled in Tamil Nadu

Read more about the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, here.

2. 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 2 enlisted Regional Cancer Centres (RCC) in the state - Regional Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar, Chennai and Government Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital, Kancheepuram

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 about HMCPF, here.

3. Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund

The Chief Minister’s Public 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 Public Relief Fund, here.

Here are 3 national schemes offered by the state of Tamil Nadu to provide treatment aid to cancer patients:

1. Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme

The scheme seeks to provide cashless hospitalisation for specific ailments/procedures
It provides coverage up to INR 5 lakhs per family, per year on a floater basis for the ailments and procedures covered under the scheme.
Annual family income should be less than INR 1.2 lakhs per annum.
This scheme can be availed for a duration of one year
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a family card, Aadhaar card and income certificate by the VAO/Revenue Authorities along with the self-declaration of the head of the concerned family.
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under this scheme, if
- They are already availing free treatment in a government hospital
- They are eligible for medical reimbursement from other sources or have medical insurance
- They are not domiciled in Tamil Nadu

Read more about the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, here.

2. 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 2 enlisted Regional Cancer Centres (RCC) in the state - Regional Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar, Chennai and Govemment Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital, Kancheepuram

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 about HMCPF, here.

3. Chief Minister's Public 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 Public Relief Fund, 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.

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.