Non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen and widows of the Indian Armed Forces, who do not get medical cover under ECHS, often face difficulties in paying for health care, especially for serious diseases. To help them, the government has a scheme called ‘Financial Assistance for the Treatment of Serious Diseases to Non-Pensioner Ex-Servicemen and Widows’ under RMEWF. This scheme, run by the KSB, offers a one-time grant for the treatment of serious diseases such as cancer, kidney failure, and heart problems.
The scheme is funded by the AFFD Fund, which is a corpus fund created by voluntary donations from the public and the armed forces personnel on the Armed Forces Flag Day, celebrated on Dec 7 every year. The scheme is a way of showing gratitude and support to the Ex-Servicemen and widows who have served the nation with honour and devotion. This article will explain more about this scheme and how to apply it.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The financial assistance for treatment of the approved or listed serious diseases applies to non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen of all ranks and their widows subject to a maximum of Rs 1,50,000/- (one time) and for treatment of cancer or dialysis subject to a maximum of Rs 75,000/- per annum as follows:
- For non-pensioner officers or widows, 75% of the total expenditure is incurred on medical treatment, hospitalization, medicines, etc.
- For non-pensioners of other ranks or widows, 90% of the total expenditure incurred per annum is on medical treatment, hospitalization, medicines, etc.
The assistance is paid directly to the bank account of the Ex-Servicemen or widow through electronic clearance service (ECS) or account payee cheque. The assistance is applicable for the expenditure incurred at an approved government hospital at rates applicable under CGHS/ECHS.
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS FOR EX-SERVICEMEN
The eligibility conditions for availing the financial assistance under this scheme are as follows:
- The applicant must be a non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen or widow, and the ESM should be of any rank from the Army/Navy/Air Force.
- The applicant should not be a member of ECHS or availing of AFMS facilities.
- The applicant should be recommended by the respective Zila Sainik Board (ZSB), which is the nodal agency for the welfare of Ex-Servicemen and their families at the district level.
- The expenditure must be incurred at an approved government hospital at the rates applicable under CGHS or ECHS.
APPLICATION
To apply for financial assistance under the KSB scheme, you need to fill out the prescribed application form, get it recommended by your ZSWO, and submit it along with the required documents at the nearest ZSBO. The KSB Secretariat will assign a clerk to enter your data on the computer and another clerk to check its correctness. The Section-in-Charge will verify it and put it up for the approval of the Secretary, KSB every month. After the approval, the Welfare Section will process your application for payment and forward it to the Accounts Section, which will verify your details and make the payments directly to your bank account via ECS or cheque.
The application must be accompanied by the following documents, duly attested by the ZSWO:
- Complete the service discharge book or document of the Ex-Servicemen.
- Photocopy of Ex-Servicemen or widow identity card.
- Original medical bills duly countersigned by the attending doctor.
- Hospital admission and discharge report duly countersigned by the hospital authority.
- A certificate from the applicant that he or she has not taken any money or grant from the state government or present employer in the form of reimbursement or medical allowance.
- Details of the bank account number (in PNB or SBI only) and IFS code of the Ex-Servicemen.
LIST OF SERIOUS DISEASES
The list of serious diseases for which financial assistance is provided under this scheme is as follows:
- Angiography & Angioplasty: A procedure to diagnose and treat blocked or narrowed arteries in the heart.
- CABG: Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, a surgery to improve blood flow to the heart by bypassing the blocked arteries with grafts from other blood vessels.
- Dialysis: A process to remove waste and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.
- Open heart surgery: A surgery to repair or replace the valves or chambers of the heart.
- Valve replacement: A surgery to replace a damaged or diseased heart valve with an artificial one.
- Pacemaker implant: A device that is implanted in the chest to regulate the heartbeat by sending electrical impulses to the heart.
- Cerebral stroke: A condition that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted, causing brain damage or death.
- Prostate surgery: A surgery to remove all or part of the prostate gland, which is a male reproductive organ that produces fluid for semen.
- Joint replacement: A surgery to replace a damaged or worn-out joint, such as the hip or knee, with an artificial one.
- Renal failure: A condition that occurs when the kidneys fail to filter the waste and excess fluid from the blood, causing a build-up of toxins in the body.
- Cancer: A disease that occurs when abnormal cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, forming tumours that can invade and destroy normal tissues and organs.
TREATMENT OF OTHER DISEASES
In case the treatment of a serious disease is not listed in this scheme document, the application will be referred to the DGAFMS for comment or recommendation to consider it for financial assistance for the treatment of that disease to the Ex-Servicemen under this scheme.
CONCLUSION
The scheme of RMEWF-Financial Assistance for Treatment of Serious Diseases to Non-Pensioners Ex-Servicemen and Widows is a medical scheme for the veterans who have served the nation with honour and devotion. The scheme provides a financial grant to the non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen and widows for the treatment of serious diseases, which can help them recover from their ailments and improve their quality of life. The scheme is funded by the AFFD Fund, which is a symbol of the solidarity and support of the citizens and the corporate sector for the armed forces. The scheme is a tribute to the Ex-Servicemen and widows, who need medical care.