The Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) was established in 2009 to provide financial assistance to Below Poverty Line (BPL) patients suffering from cancer. This support is specifically for treatment in 27 Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) where Revolving Funds of up to ₹50 lakhs have been placed at each center’s disposal.
Benefits
- Financial Assistance: Up to ₹5,00,000 per patient.
- Higher Assistance: If treatment requires more than ₹5,00,000, the proposal is sent to the Ministry.
- Maximum: Up to ₹15,00,000 overall can be granted under the scheme.
Covered Treatments:
- Radiation Treatments (Radio Therapy, Gama Knife Surgery/GRT/MRT/Brachytherapy)
- Chemotherapy with supportive medication (including hormonal therapy)
- Bone Marrow Transplantation (Allogenic & Autologous)
- Diagnostic Procedures (including PET scan)
- Surgery for operable malignant tumors
Eligibility
- BPL Cancer Patients: Must be living below the poverty line.
- Treatment at 27 Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) only.
- Non-Government Employees: Central/State Government or PSU employees not eligible.
- Exclusion: If treatment facilities are already free of cost, the grant cannot be used.
Application Process (Offline)
- Obtain Application Form:
- Download the prescribed format (refer to pages 10, 11, and 12 of the guidelines).
- Complete Details:
- Fill out the form accurately, ensuring all sections are complete.
- Obtain Signatures:
- The form must be signed and stamped by the treating doctor/Head of Department (HOD) and countersigned by the Medical Superintendent of the government hospital.
- Submit:
- Submit the completed form along with required documents to the concerned government hospital where the patient is undergoing treatment.
Documents Required
- Application Form in the prescribed format, duly signed by the treating doctor and countersigned by the Medical Superintendent.
- Income Certificate (original) verifying BPL status, issued by a competent authority (Block/Mandal Development Officer/Tehsildar/SDM, etc.).
- Copy of the Ration Card attested by a Gazetted Officer with official seal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Whether Central/State Government/PSU employees are eligible for financial assistance?
No, government and PSU employees are not eligible under HMCPF. - Whether reimbursement of already incurred medical expenditure is permissible?
The scheme generally covers ongoing/future treatment costs, not retrospective reimbursements. Refer to guidelines for specifics. - What is the time limit set by the Grants Section to process the request?
The Ministry makes efforts to process requests expeditiously. No strict time limit, but it depends on document completeness and verification. - Whether the grants are released in the name of the patient?
Yes, the grant is usually released to the treating hospital or as per the Ministry’s standard practice to ensure direct utilization for the patient’s treatment. - How much assistance is given to each patient?
Up to ₹5 lakh initially. If the required amount exceeds ₹5 lakh, it is referred to the Ministry. The maximum limit under the scheme is ₹15 lakh.