The “Odisha State Treatment Fund” scheme was introduced by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Odisha to provide financial assistance for the treatment of major ailments in poor patients suffering from life-threatening disorders and diseases. Managed by the autonomous Odisha State Treatment Fund Society (registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860), the fund disburses financial assistance directly to the medical institutions where the patients are undergoing treatment. Assistance is provided for specific life-threatening diseases as outlined in Annexure – D of the detailed guidelines.
Benefits
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Top-up to RSBY:
The OSTF serves as a top-up to the RSBY; initial treatment costs are covered under RSBY, and if further assistance is required beyond RSBY limits, OSTF provides the additional support. -
Financial Coverage:
Treatment costs approved under the scheme are covered up to an upper limit of ₹3,00,000 per case. -
Sanctioning Limits:
- District Head Quarters Hospitals can sanction up to ₹30,000 per case.
- With additional approval from the Collector-cum-District Magistrate, assistance can be sanctioned up to ₹50,000.
- For amounts exceeding ₹3,00,000, approval from the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha is required.
Eligibility
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Income Criteria:
- Applicants must be below the poverty line.
- For rural areas, the annual family income must not exceed ₹40,000; for urban areas, it must not exceed ₹60,000.
- Eligibility can be determined using a BPL card, AAY card, or an annual income certificate issued by the concerned Tahasildar.
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RSBY Card Holders:
Beneficiaries holding an RSBY card are also eligible. -
Special Cases:
- Accident victims, and patients referred from registered destitute homes, orphanages, mental asylums, or child care institutions may also receive assistance, subject to adequate justification.
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Treatment Setting:
Assistance is available only for patients receiving in-patient treatment at Government or empanelled private hospitals. Exceptions are made for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at Government Day Care Centres and post-operative care for kidney transplant patients at Government Hospitals.
Exclusions
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Government Employees:
Employees of the Central Government, State Government, or Public Sector Undertakings are not eligible. -
Reimbursement Restrictions:
Assistance does not cover expenditures already incurred before the application, nor reimburse costs for treatments available free under other health programmes. -
Multiple Claims:
Each individual is eligible for assistance only once in a financial year. Repeat assistance for the same ailment is not allowed, except for phased treatments in chronic conditions like cancer, collagen disease, or renal failure.
Application Process
Offline
A. For Government Medical Colleges & Hospitals (Sishubhawan, Cuttack and AHRCC, Cuttack)
- Submission:
The applicant must submit the application in the prescribed format with all necessary documents to the Nodal Officer of the concerned department. - Scrutiny and Approval:
The Nodal Officer scrutinizes the application and forwards it to the HOD. If approved by the committee, treatment is provided free of cost up to the sanctioned amount. - Sanctioning:
- The committee’s sanctioning power is limited to ₹1,00,000.
- For assistance exceeding ₹1,00,000, the Revenue Divisional Commissioner’s approval is required to sanction up to ₹2,00,000.
- For amounts beyond ₹3,00,000, approval from the Hon’ble Chief Minister is necessary.
- Fund Management:
A designated bank account in SBI is maintained at the medical college for disbursement.
B. For District Hospitals / Capital Hospitals / RGH
- Submission:
The applicant submits the application form along with necessary documents to the Nodal Officer. - Approval:
Treatment is provided free of cost within the sanctioned amount.- District Head Quarters Hospitals can sanction up to ₹30,000.
- For amounts exceeding ₹30,000, the CDMO, with the Collector-cum-District Magistrate’s approval, can sanction up to ₹50,000.
- For Capital Hospitals and RGH, sanction limits may be higher, with referrals to DMET for treatment costs exceeding ₹1,00,000.
- Fund Management:
A separate SBI account is opened at the respective hospital for fund management.
C. For Private & Other Hospitals
- Referral Requirement:
Eligible patients must be referred from Government Medical Colleges or by CDMOs/CMOs. In emergencies, patients may be admitted directly, with subsequent verification by DMET. - Reimbursement:
Funds are released in favor of the private hospital based on CGHS rates or the actual cost (whichever is lower).
Documents Required
- Aadhar Card.
- Voter Card.
- BPL Card.
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Ration Card.
- RSBY Card.
- Annual family income certificate issued by the concerned Tahasildar.
- Additional documents as specified on the official website: https://health.odisha.gov.in/citizen-e-services/odisha-state-treatment-fund-ostf
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who are the beneficiaries?
Poor patients suffering from life-threatening disorders who meet the income criteria. - Are RSBY card holders eligible?
Yes, RSBY card holders are eligible under this scheme. - What conditions apply for eligibility?
Eligibility is based on income limits (₹40,000 for rural, ₹60,000 for urban) and verified by BPL/AAY cards or income certificates. - Where is the assistance available?
Assistance is available at Government, empanelled private, and designated capital hospitals. - What diseases are covered?
Specific life-threatening diseases are covered as per Annexure – D in the detailed guidelines. - What is the quantum of assistance?
Treatment costs approved under the scheme are covered up to ₹3,00,000. - Is OSTF a top-up to RSBY?
Yes, OSTF acts as a top-up when the required assistance exceeds the RSBY coverage. - What if assistance exceeds ₹3,00,000?
For amounts over ₹3,00,000, additional approval from the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha is required.