The Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) umbrella scheme, a central sector initiative, offers one-time financial aid to economically disadvantaged patients residing below the poverty line defined by each State/UT. This assistance covers critical conditions such as heart, kidney, liver, and cancer diseases for treatment at Super Specialty Government hospitals/institutes. This article will discuss in detail the coverage, benefits, eligibility, and more. Also, this will help you understand the significance of health insurance in managing finances at times of medical emergencies.
Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) – An overview
Given below is a brief overview of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) scheme:
Scheme name |
Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) |
Objective |
The scheme offers financial aid to impoverished patients with life-threatening diseases for treatment at super specialty Government hospitals/institutes. |
Maximum financial assistance admissible |
Up to Rs. 15 lakh |
Components of Umbrella Scheme of RAN |
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Revolving Funds have been established in 13 Central Government Hospitals/Institutions across India as part of RAN. These funds offer financial aid of up to Rs. 2 lakh for treatment. Furthermore, financial assistance is extended to cases referred by hospitals/institutions without Revolving Funds and for cases from the 13 hospitals/institutions with funds, exceeding Rs. 2 lakh.
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Umbrella Scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN)
The Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) umbrella scheme, a pivotal central initiative, extends crucial financial support to economically disadvantaged patients residing below the State/UT-specific poverty line threshold. These individuals, grappling with life-threatening ailments encompassing heart, kidney, liver, cancer, among others, receive assistance for medical treatment at any of the specialized Government healthcare institutions. Under the comprehensive RAN umbrella, three key components cater to distinct medical needs:
- Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN): This facet of the scheme provides vital financial aid to individuals battling life-threatening conditions such as heart, kidney, and liver diseases, among others. The assistance is specifically allocated for treatment at Government hospitals or institutes equipped with super specialty facilities. Patients can receive a maximum financial grant of Rs. 15 lakh through this avenue.
- Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF): Focused on alleviating the burden of cancer care expenses, this segment extends financial assistance to patients undergoing treatment at designated healthcare centers. Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs), Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs), and State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) are among the institutions covered under this fund. Patients battling cancer can avail themselves of financial support of up to Rs. 15 lakh through this provision.
- Financial assistance for poor patients suffering from rare diseases: Acknowledging the challenges faced by individuals grappling with rare ailments, this component of the scheme targets specified rare diseases. It offers financial aid for treatment at Government healthcare facilities equipped with super specialty amenities. Patients confronting rare diseases can access financial assistance of up to Rs. 20 lakh through this channel.
Explore: List of government health schemes in India
How to avail benefits under RAN?
Here's the information presented in a step-by-step format:
Submission process for financial assistance under RAN:
The patient must submit:
- A duly filled application form in the prescribed format, signed by the treating doctor and countersigned by the Medical Superintendent of the Government hospital/institute.
- A copy of the income certificate.
- A copy of the ration card.
Revolving funds allocation:
- Revolving Funds are established in 13 Central Government Hospitals/Institutes.
- These funds amount to Rs. 50 lakhs each (Rs. 90 lakh for AIIMS, New Delhi).
- The funds are utilized to provide treatment up to Rs. 2 lakhs per case.
Treatment beyond Rs. 2 lakh:
- Cases requiring treatment exceeding Rs. 2 lakhs are referred to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
- The Ministry provides funds for such cases.
Treatments covered under Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi
An illustrative list of categories of treatment to be provided from the Fund is given below:
Category |
Treatment |
Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery |
Pacemakers |
CRT/Biventricular pacemaker |
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Automatic Implantable Cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) |
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Combo devices |
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Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization including Coronary Angiography |
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Interventional procedure including Angioplasty, Rota-ablation, Balloon Valvuloplasty e.g. PTMC, BPV etc. |
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ASD, VSD and PDA device closure |
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Peripheral Vascular Angioplasty, Carotid Angioplasty, Renal Angioplasty |
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Coil Embolization and Vascular plugs |
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Stents including Drug Eluting Stents |
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Electrophysiological Studies (EPS) and Radio Frequency (RF) Ablation |
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Heart surgery for Congenital and Acquired conditions including C.A.B.G |
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Vascular Surgery |
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Cardiac Transplantation etc. |
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Cancer |
Radiation treatment of all kinds including Radio Therapy and Gama Knife Surgery |
Anti-Cancer Chemotherapy supportive medication and antibiotic, Growth factor |
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Bone Marrow Transplantation- Allogenic& Autologous |
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Diagonostic Procedures- Flow cytometry/cytogenetics /IHC Tumour Markers etc. |
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Surgery for cancer patients |
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Catheters, central lines and venous access devices. |
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Urology/Nephrology/ Gastroenterology |
Dialysis and its consumable (Both haemodialysis as well as Peritoneal) |
Plasmalpheresis in acute renal failure |
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Continuous renal replacement therapy in acute renal failure in ICU sick patient. |
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Vascular access consumables (Shunts, catheters) for Dialysis |
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Renal transplant-cost of renal transplant varies from 2.5 to 4.0 lakh, Depending upon type of drug used as per patient need. |
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PCN and PCNL Kits |
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Lithotripsy (for Stones) |
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Disposables & Stents for endoscopic surgical procedures in Urology & Gastroenterology |
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Liver Transplantation and Surgery for portal hypertension |
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Orthopedics |
Artificial prosthesis for limbs |
Implants and total hip and knee replacement |
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External fixaters |
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AO implants, used in the treatment of bone diseases and fractures |
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Spiral fixation Implant- Pedicle Screws (Traumatic, Paraplegic, Quadriplegic) |
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Implant for Fracture fixation (locking plates & modular) |
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Replacement Hip –Bipolar /fixed |
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Bone Substitutes |
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Neurosurgery – Neurology |
Brain Tumors |
Head injuries |
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Intracranial aneurysm |
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AVMs |
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Spinal tumors |
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Degenerative /Demyelinating diseases of brain/spinal cord |
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Stroke |
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Epilepsy |
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Movement disorders |
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Neurological infections |
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Endocrinology |
Hormonal replacement for lifelong therapy :
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Mental illness |
Organic Psychosis acute and chronic |
Functional psychosis including Schizophrenia, Bio-polar Disorders, delusional disorders and other acute polymorphic psychosis |
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Severe OCD, Somatoform disorders, eating disorders |
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Developmental disorders including autisms spectrum disorders and Severe behavioural disorders during childhood. |
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Drugs |
Immunosuppressive drugs |
Anti D |
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Anti Haemophilic Globulin |
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Erythropoietin |
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Blood & Blood products/Plasma for patients of Burns |
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Liposomal Amphotericin |
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Peg Interferon |
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Ribavarin |
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CMV treatment (IV Gancyclovir, Valganciclovir) |
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Voriconazole |
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Anti-rejection treatment (ATG, OKT 3) |
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Treatment for Post –transplant viral infection |
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Any life supporting drugs |
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Investigations |
Ultra-sound, Doppler studies, Radio-nucleotide scans, CT Scan, Mammography, Angiography for all organs, M.R.I, E.E.G, E.M.G, Uro-dynamic studies, Cardiac Imaging- Stress Thallium & PET, Cardiac MRI, Investigation for CMV, BK Virus, TMT, Echocardiography. |
Psycho diagnostics, neuropsychological assessments, IQ assessments, blood tests like serum lithium and drug level of carbamazepine, valporate, phenytoin and any other similar medications : CSF studies screening for substances or abuse/toxicology. |
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Others |
Immunoglobulin for AIDP (GB Syndrome ) and Myasthenia Gravis. |
Anti viral |
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Anti fungal |
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Wilson disease : Penicillamine A |
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Botulinum A toxin injection for spasticity |
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Baclofen for spasticity |
Financial aid from the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi is not disbursed directly to the patient but rather to the Medical Superintendent of the respective hospital. Access to this aid is contingent upon the patient seeking medical treatment at a government hospital.
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