Rajya Bimari Sahayata Nidhi: Madhya Pradesh's State Illness Assistance Fund
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikhil Singh
Last reviewed: 18 Jul 2026
Madhya Pradesh's main hospitalisation cover today is the national Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme, run in the state under the local name Ayushman Bharat Niramayam, which gives eligible families cashless cover of Rs 5,00,000 a year at empanelled hospitals. Alongside it, Madhya Pradesh also runs its own separate scheme: the Rajya Bimari Sahayata Nidhi, or State Illness Assistance Fund (SIAF), administered directly by the state's Directorate of Health Services and Public Health & Family Welfare Department.
The State Illness Assistance Fund predates PM-JAY and works differently from it. Instead of a cashless card usable at a network of empanelled hospitals, it is a one-time cash grant, decided case by case and paid straight to the treating hospital, for Below Poverty Line (BPL) residents facing specified serious illnesses. This guide covers what the fund pays, who qualifies, and how to apply.
Rajya Bimari Sahayata Nidhi (State Illness Assistance Fund) at a Glance
Figures per the Madhya Pradesh Directorate of Health Services. This is a separate state fund, not part of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.
- Minimum assistance amount — Rs 25,000
- Maximum assistance amount — Rs 2,00,000
- Who qualifies — BPL (Below Poverty Line) resident domiciled in Madhya Pradesh
- Benefit frequency — Once only, to one member of a BPL family
- Cancer treatment referral — Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Cancer Hospital, Bhopal
- How it is paid — Sanctioned amount paid directly to the treating hospital/institution, not to the family
Rates shown are as per the State Illness Assistance Fund (SIAF), Madhya Pradesh — via India.gov.in national portal listing (state health department site does not support HTTPS) (2026) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.
What the Fund Covers
The State Illness Assistance Fund is a grant, not an insurance package: a sanctioned amount between Rs 25,000 and Rs 2,00,000 is released against a specific patient's treatment, based on the hospital's certified treatment estimate.
It is reported to cover roughly 20 specified serious illnesses and major surgical procedures rather than routine or minor treatment. Cancer cases are handled through a specific referral, to the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Cancer Hospital in Bhopal.
Madhya Pradesh is one of several Indian states that maintains a fund of this kind - a state-run safety net for BPL patients facing high treatment costs for specific serious illnesses, separate from any centrally sponsored scheme.
- Cancer treatment (referred to JLN Cancer Hospital, Bhopal)
- Heart surgery
- Kidney transplant
- Knee and hip replacement
- Neurosurgery and brain surgery
- Spinal surgery
- Other listed major illnesses/surgical conditions certified by a civil surgeon
Who Is Eligible
Eligibility is restricted to residents domiciled in Madhya Pradesh who hold Below Poverty Line (BPL) status. The benefit is capped at one member of a BPL family, and it can be availed only once by that family - it is not a recurring or annual benefit like PM-JAY's family-floater cover.
How to Apply
The application is made in the prescribed form to the District Collector, addressed to the Director of Public Health & Family Welfare. It typically needs proof of BPL status and Madhya Pradesh residence, along with a treatment estimate from the hospital, certified by a civil surgeon confirming the diagnosis.
The Collector's office forwards the case to the Secretary of the State Illness Assistance Fund. A sub-committee scrutinises the application, and final sanction is given by a management committee chaired by Madhya Pradesh's Public Health & Family Welfare Minister. Once approved, the amount is paid by cheque directly to the hospital or institution treating the patient. Application forms are available at the District Collector's office, the Chief Medical & Health Officer's (CMHO) office, district hospitals, and the Directorate of Health Services.
Because sanction depends on committee review rather than an automated eligibility check, processing is case-by-case and can take time. Keeping the BPL card, residence proof and the hospital's certified treatment estimate ready before applying helps avoid back-and-forth during scrutiny.
How This Fits Alongside Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in Madhya Pradesh
For most eligible families in Madhya Pradesh, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat Niramayam locally) remains the primary route for hospitalisation costs: a cashless family-floater cover of Rs 5,00,000 a year at empanelled government and private hospitals, with no separate application needed beyond having or obtaining an Ayushman card.
The State Illness Assistance Fund is administered quite differently - directly by the state health department rather than through an empanelled-hospital insurance network, and as a discretionary cash grant rather than a fixed package rate. The two schemes are run separately, and the material published by the health department does not spell out a single official rule for combining them on one treatment. Families dealing with a serious illness should check directly with the hospital's Ayushman Bharat/scheme desk or the district CMHO office to understand which support applies, or whether the two can address different components of the same case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rajya Bimari Sahayata Nidhi the same as Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?
No. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, run in Madhya Pradesh as Ayushman Bharat Niramayam, is the national cashless cover of Rs 5,00,000 a year for eligible families at empanelled hospitals. The Rajya Bimari Sahayata Nidhi, or State Illness Assistance Fund, is a separate, older Madhya Pradesh scheme giving BPL families a one-time cash grant of Rs 25,000 to Rs 2,00,000 for specified serious illnesses, paid directly to the hospital.
Who can apply for the State Illness Assistance Fund?
Residents domiciled in Madhya Pradesh who hold Below Poverty Line (BPL) status and are facing one of the fund's specified serious illnesses can apply. The benefit is limited to one member of a BPL family, and only once.
How much financial assistance does the fund provide?
Per the Madhya Pradesh Directorate of Health Services, assistance ranges from Rs 25,000 to a maximum of Rs 2,00,000, depending on the case. The sanctioned amount is paid directly to the treating hospital or institution rather than to the family.
What illnesses does the scheme cover?
It is reported to cover around 20 specified serious illnesses requiring surgery or major treatment, including conditions such as cancer, heart surgery, kidney transplant, joint replacement, neurosurgery and spinal surgery. Cancer cases are specifically referred to the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Cancer Hospital in Bhopal.
Where do I submit the application?
The application, in the prescribed format with BPL and residence proof and a hospital treatment estimate, is submitted to the District Collector addressed to the Director of Public Health & Family Welfare. It is then forwarded to the Secretary of the State Illness Assistance Fund for scrutiny and sanction.
Who approves the grant, and how is it paid out?
A sub-committee examines each case, and final sanction is given by a management committee chaired by Madhya Pradesh's Public Health & Family Welfare Minister. The approved amount is paid by cheque directly to the hospital or institution treating the patient, not handed to the family.
Can this fund be used together with Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?
The two are administered separately - PM-JAY through the empanelled-hospital cashless network, and the State Illness Assistance Fund through the state health department as a discretionary cash grant. It is worth checking directly with the hospital's Ayushman Bharat/scheme desk or the district CMHO office, since the published material does not set out a combined-use rule for a single treatment.
Related
- How to find an Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) hospital near you
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY eligibility check
- Government health schemes in India: a guide
- Gajra Raja Medical College & Jaya Arogya Hospital, Gwalior: OPD Appointment & Registration Guide
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.
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No. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, run in Madhya Pradesh as Ayushman Bharat Niramayam, is the national cashless cover of Rs 5,00,000 a year for eligible families at empanelled hospitals. The Rajya Bimari Sahayata Nidhi, or State Illness Assistance Fund, is a separate, older Madhya Pradesh scheme giving BPL families a one-time cash grant of Rs 25,000 to Rs 2,00,000 for specified serious illnesses, paid directly to the hospital.
Residents domiciled in Madhya Pradesh who hold Below Poverty Line (BPL) status and are facing one of the fund's specified serious illnesses can apply. The benefit is limited to one member of a BPL family, and only once.
Per the Madhya Pradesh Directorate of Health Services, assistance ranges from Rs 25,000 to a maximum of Rs 2,00,000, depending on the case. The sanctioned amount is paid directly to the treating hospital or institution rather than to the family.
It is reported to cover around 20 specified serious illnesses requiring surgery or major treatment, including conditions such as cancer, heart surgery, kidney transplant, joint replacement, neurosurgery and spinal surgery. Cancer cases are specifically referred to the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Cancer Hospital in Bhopal.
The application, in the prescribed format with BPL and residence proof and a hospital treatment estimate, is submitted to the District Collector addressed to the Director of Public Health & Family Welfare. It is then forwarded to the Secretary of the State Illness Assistance Fund for scrutiny and sanction.
A sub-committee examines each case, and final sanction is given by a management committee chaired by Madhya Pradesh's Public Health & Family Welfare Minister. The approved amount is paid by cheque directly to the hospital or institution treating the patient, not handed to the family.
The two are administered separately - PM-JAY through the empanelled-hospital cashless network, and the State Illness Assistance Fund through the state health department as a discretionary cash grant. It is worth checking directly with the hospital's Ayushman Bharat/scheme desk or the district CMHO office, since the published material does not set out a combined-use rule for a single treatment.
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Written by Dr. Nikhil Singh
Last reviewed: 18 July 2026
Medical Disclaimer
The content provided on Zospital is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.
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