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6 Ways The Kerala Government Can Assist You 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.
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.
Please note: These are estimated costs of treatment at most private hospitals in the country. The costs may vary based on region, severity of disease and mode of treatment.
P.S. This article is for information purposes only and don’t replace professional medical guidance. Health decisions should be made in consultation with qualified medical experts who can provide personalized advice based on individual circumstances and needs.
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