The financial costs concerning cancer treatment are often high. Having private health insurance costs a lot. Even such insurance doesn’t guarantee full treatment. It is better to look out for financial assistance from somebody who wishes to contribute to your well-being. And, who would be a better well-wisher than your own Government?

A number of plans, schemes, and funds are laid by the Central Government of India for the welfare of its citizens. Most of them are easy to apply for and provide immediate aid as per the circumstances. Here, you will find the schemes run by different government-led authorities. 

The Central Government of India has given rise to multiple comprehensive health care plans to make cancer treatment easy and affordable for people who can normally afford it. This has been a major step towards peoples’ well-being in the country. Read below and check if you qualify for assistance.

PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana): Ayushman Bharat

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is a national public health insurance fund laid by the Government of India (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare). It was launched in the year 2018. It aims at providing poor, deprived rural families up to Rs 5,00,000 per family per year health insurance coverage for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. 

Below-mentioned points are some of the features of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana:

• It is a family floater scheme with a total sum of Rs. 5,00,000 assured to every enrolled family.

• This scheme has been put forward especially for people who are below the poverty line and do not have any access to the internet and other healthcare plans.

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana gives access to cashless healthcare services to the applicant/family.

• Under this scheme, some pre-existing diseases are also covered.

• Moreover, it also recompenses the transportation cost incurred by the applicant during the treatment period.

• The payment to be made will be as per the package pre-determined by the government.

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) covers the following expenses: 

• Medical examination

• Treatment

• Consultation fee

• ICU and non-intensive services

• Medical transplantation services

• Expenses incurred during diagnosis

• Expenses incurred on health complications during/after the treatment

• Expenses incurred on medical consumables (including medicines)

The following documents are required at the time of application concerning this scheme:

• Aadhar Card/PAN Card

• Contact details (including mobile and address)

• Caste certificate

• Income certificate

Click here to apply.

Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)

This is a welfare scheme for the Central Government employees and pensioners. Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) was introduced by the Government of India in the year 1954 with an aim to provide comprehensive medical care to the serving and retired employees of the Central Government and their dependent family members. Under this, they can get cancer treatment from any hospital at approved rates, besides CGHS hospitals.

The beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme are as follows:

• Employees (current/former) of the Indian Parliament

• Former & Lieutenant governors (India)

• Freedom fighters (India)

• Judges (current/former) of Supreme and High Court

• Formers Vice Presidents (India)

• Railway board workers

• PIB journalists (Delhi)

• Police personnel (Delhi)

• Employees (current/former) of selective autonomous organizations (Delhi)

The following healthcare benefits are provided by the Central Government Health Scheme to the Central Government employees and pensioners:

• Dispensary services

• Specialist doctors’ consultation facilities

• ECG, X-ray, and other laboratory examinations

• Hospitalization

• Medicines and other medical requirements

• Maternity and family welfare services

Click here to apply.

Health Minister's Discretionary Grant (HMDG)

Under this, financial assistance starting from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1,25,000 is given to meet the cancer treatment expenditure in Government hospitals where free treatment is not applicable, to patients who have family annual income less than or equal to Rs.1,25,000. 

Financial assistance is given as per the following criteria: 

• If the estimated treatment cost is up to Rs 1,00,000, then the financial assistance will be Rs 50,000.

• If the estimated treatment cost is between Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 1,50,000, then the financial assistance will be Rs 75,000.

• If the estimated treatment cost is above Rs 1,50,000, then the financial assistance will be Rs 1,00,000.

The following documents are required at the time of application concerning this scheme::

• One copy of the application (prescribed) that is signed by the concerned HOD and countersigned by the Hospital’s Medical Superintendent 

• Original certificate quoting patient’s full name, telephone number, designation, and address produced from the BDO/Tehsildar/Collector/SDM regarding annual income and occupation of the applicant and the family members.

• One copy of the ration card.

Click here to apply.

Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF)

The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund was established by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in 1948. Assistance from this relief fund is given to meet the partial expenses of treating diseases, including cancer, heart, kidney, etc. Majorly, the fund is recognized under the Income Tax Act as a Trust. It is managed for national causes by the Prime Minister or delegates.

The following documents are required at the time of application concerning this scheme:

• Two passport-size photographs of the applicant (one to be pasted on the application form and the other to be stapled along).

• One copy of the residence proof. 

• Original medical certificate having the details of the disease type.

• Original medical expenditure certificate produced by the concerned hospital. 

• One copy of the income certificate. 

Once the application form is submitted, the disbursements are ordered by the Prime Minister as per the availability of funds and the prior commitments.

Click here to download the application form. 

Cancer Patients Concession for Travel by Air

Cancer Patients Concession for Travel by Air is offered by Air India, a government-owned enterprise. Under this, a 50% concession will be applicable on total economy fare only for those cancer patients who are residents of India and are traveling for medical treatment/checkup purposes.

Eligibility: Patients who are residents of India and are diagnosed with cancer; traveling for medical checkups/treatment purposes.

Required Documents: An application stating that the cancer patient (applicant) is traveling for medical treatment or check-up purposes, along with a certificate produced by the medical institute or hospital.

Advance Purchase: The ticket needs to be purchased 3 days before departure.

Click here to apply.

HMCPF (Health Minister's Cancer Patient Fund) of RAN (Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi)

The Health Minister's Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) was set up in 2009. The Revolving Fund has been established to utilize this fund in 27 Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) the Revolving Fund has been established. Such a step ensures swift financial assistance to the patients who need it and helps to fulfill the HMCPF’s adjective. As per the fund, financial assistance of up to Rs. 2,00,000 is given to cancer patients who are living below the poverty line and getting treatment in the country (at any of the 27 RCCs).

The following documents are required at the time of application concerning this scheme:

• One copy of the ration card. 

• One copy of the income certificate. 

• An application form that is signed by the concerned doctor and countersigned by the Hospital’s Medical Superintendent.

Click here to know more.

Railways Facilities for Cancer Patients

Indian Railways provides easy access to transportation for medical checkups or treatment purposes, especially to cancer patients. Under this, the concession is available as per the following terms:

• AC 3-tier/sleeper: 100% concession 

• AC chair car and 2nd class: 75% concession

• AC 1st class and AC-2 tier: 50% concession

• AC 3-tier/sleeper, AC chair car, and 2nd class: 75% concession

• AC 1st class and AC-2 tier: 50% concession

Note: Concession tickets are issued once the certificate from the head of a hospital (where the patient is being treated) is produced and submitted. 

Visit here to know more and apply.

These are the schemes issued by the Central Government. There may be some others too. If you qualify for aid in any of the plans, apply immediately and get financial assistance for your cancer treatment. 

State Government Plans for Cancer Treatment in India -100%

Cancer treatment costs a lot and it is not affordable for all. There are multiple expenses to be incurred and taken care of during the treatment period, including the cost of medicines, therapies, regular tests, and patient care. To make it effortless for the patients who can not afford the treatment charges, a number of schemes have been launched by the government.

The State Governments of various states of India have undertaken the goal of helping cancer patients. Many states are being benefited from such schemes. Read below and check if you qualify for assistance.

Chief Minister's Relief Fund, Karnataka 

As per the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund by the Karnataka Government, financial assistance is provided to patients living below the poverty line and suffering from deadly diseases. If the eligible patients have already spent on their treatment, they can submit the final bill with the discharge summary. However, if the treatment is yet to start, they can submit the estimated cost of treatment determined by the concerned hospital or medical institute. 

Under this Chief Minister's Relief Fund, the following beneficiaries are included: 

• Eligible unemployed

• Eligible people with disabilities

• Poorest of the poor people

• Eligible people (suffering from deadly diseases) undergoing treatment 

The necessary documents to be submitted during the application process are:

• An application

• BPL (Below Poverty Line) card

• EPIC and  Aadhar card

• Original (final) bills

• Discharge summary

If you wish to apply for this, you must note the following details. 

Mail: cmrf@karnataka.gov.in 

Visit here to apply.

Free Cancer Treatment Under Aarogyasri Scheme, Andhra Pradesh 

This is a scheme to address the needs of poor people and assist families that are living below the poverty line. Free Cancer Treatment Under Aarogyasri Scheme aims at providing free treatment to eligible patients for certain types of diseases in any hospital in Andhra Pradesh. If you wish to apply, you must note the eligibility criteria.

• Patients having a BPL (below poverty line) ration card that is issued by the Civil Supplies Department.

• Patients having below 35 acres of total land (wet and/or dry).

• Patients paying property tax for less than 334 sq. yds. 

• Patients having less than 5 lakhs of annual income. 

Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy also announced that 2059 ailments will also be included in the Aarogyasri Scheme of Andhra Pradesh. Typically, sunstroke, malaria, chikungunya, and typhoid are covered.

The following services are included in the Aarogyasri Scheme:

• Cashless healthcare services from the time of patient’s reporting till up to 10 days after the discharge (including medical consumables).  

• Expenses that are incurred on the transportation of the patient for medical purposes. 

• Expenses that are incurred on the food and maintenance of patients during the treatment period.

Mukh Mantri Cancer Raahat Kosh Scheme, Punjab

Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Raahat Kosh Scheme aims at providing financial assistance to the residents of Punjab who are suffering from cancer. Under this, financial assistance of up to Rs 1,50,000 is provided to assist the patients except for patients who already have medical insurance, employees of the Government sector, ESI, and their dependents. 

The key features of the Mukh Mantri Cancer Raahat Kosh Scheme by the Punjab Government are:

• The Punjab Government will make the payment directly to the concerned hospital. As a result, patients won’t have to wait for treatment for too long.

• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan is covered under this scheme.

• The applicant must be a resident of Punjab and should have valid proof of the same.

If you wish to apply, make sure to note the following steps:

• Visit the website for the application form.

• Click on the “Programs/Schemes” section. 

• Click on the “Cancer Control Programme”.

• Once done, download the application form.

• Fill the application form carefully. Now, attach the mentioned documents with the form. 

• Submit this to the District Civil Surgeon Officer.

Click here to know the list of empaneled hospitals under this scheme.

Free Cancer Treatment in West Bengal Govt Hospitals 

The Government of West Bengal has provided the facility of free treatment of all types of cancer in the hospitals and medical colleges that are run by the state. Under this, any cancer patient can get access to medicines, hospital beds, chemotherapy, and surgical procedures for free. 

The key features of “Free Cancer Treatment in Govt Hospitals, West Bengal” are as follows:

• The treatment of patients suffering from blood disorders, cancer, cardiac problems, and other life-threatening diseases is to be done free of cost in the state-run hospitals of West Bengal.

• The scheme, announced by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, also assures free treatment of diseases like cancer among others in government-led medical colleges situated in West Bengal.

• The services included in this scheme are the provision of medicines free of cost, free therapies like radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. It also covers the cost of surgical procedures (open heart, bypass, insertion of stents and pacemakers) and transplants.

One can visit the nearest Government hospital for more details.

'Mediclaim Scheme' of Directorate of Health Services by Goa Govt

Under the 'Mediclaim Scheme' of the Directorate of Health Services, the Mediclaim facility is provided for Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy to cancer patients (who are permanent residents of Goa) of up to Rs 5,00,000. 

The coverages of 'Mediclaim Scheme' of Directorate of Health Services by Goa Government are as follows:

• Treatment of any major disease

• Radiotherapy expenses 

• Plastic surgery expenses

• Kidney transplant expenses 

• Joint replacement expenses

• Cardio-thoracic surgery expenses 

The necessary documents to be submitted during the application process are:

• Form C and D

• Two recent passport-size photographs

• One copy of the applicant’s election card 

• Form A along with the applicant’s medical certificate

• Form B along with the annual income certificate

The treatment must then be undertaken in the hospitals that are listed in the PDF file issued by the Government. One can contact the delegates for further information. 

Mail: directorhealth_goa@yahoo.co.in 

Cancer Suraksha' Scheme by Social Security Mission of Kerala

This scheme is introduced for cancer patients (from poor families) below the age of 18 years. Under the Cancer Suraksha Scheme by Social Security Mission, patient cards will be issued to eligible patients in the state. The cost of treatment will be managed by the funds provided by the Social Security Mission, subject to maximum assistance of Rs 50,000 per child. Additional expenditure can also be managed by the hospital as per the approval of the Mission.

Note the following points before you apply for Cancer Suraksha' Scheme by the Social Security Mission of Kerala: 

• Only cancer patients who are aged below 18 years and belong to the BPL population are eligible.

• The patient should be a resident of Kerala. 

• The applicant must have proof of cancer diagnosis. 

• The patients who have private medical insurance are not eligible. 

Visit the webpage for further details.

Free Chemotherapy Programme, Odisha

The Free Chemotherapy Programme by Odisha Government aims at providing cancer consultation at district headquarters hospital free of cost in addition to the free chemotherapy treatment to all poor cancer patients in Odisha. The treatment must then be undertaken in the capital hospital, any of the hospitals in the 30 districts, or IGH (Ispat General Hospital) in Rourkela.

If you wish to apply for this, you must note the eligibility criteria:

• The applicant must be below the poverty line. This shall be proved by submitting either a BPL card or annual income certificate stating the annual income below Rs.60,000 in urban areas and Rs.40,000 in rural areas.

• The applicant having an RSBY (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana) card is also eligible.

• The employees of Central and State governments are not eligible. 

• The employees of PSU (Public sector undertakings in India) are also not eligible. 

• A victim of any unknown accident who is referred by a mental asylum, orphanage, or child care institution is eligible.

'Free Cancer Medicines' Scheme of Rajasthan Govt

The DDCs (Drug Distribution Counters) that have been set up in the government-run selected hospitals of Rajasthan provide listed 36 different types of cancer drugs free of cost to cancer patients. The drugs under the 'Free Cancer Medicines' Scheme include medications like Melphalan, Imatinib, and Cytarabine. The medicines provided by the DDCs cover the treatment of cancers including bladder cancer, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, leukemia, and pancreatic cancer. The aim of the 'Free Cancer Medicines' Scheme of the Rajasthan Government is to reduce the financial burden of cancer patients.

The two components of this scheme are:

• Free Medicines: This was introduced on October 2, 2011, by the Rajasthan Government and included the provision of free cancer medicines.

• Free Tests: This was introduced on April 7, 2013, by the Rajasthan Government and included the provision of free tests in government-led healthcare institutions.

These are the major schemes launched by the State Governments in India. Moreover, there may be some other beneficial schemes too. Make sure you consider them if you are eligible and can be benefitted.