MFSWT Medical Benefits Explained: A Complete Guide for Indian Merchant Navy Officers
If you're an Indian Merchant Navy Officer, you've probably heard of the Maritime Floating Staff Welfare Trust (MFSWT) but do you actually know what you're entitled to, how much you can claim, and what paperwork you need? Our Blog will breaks down the Trust's medical scheme in plain language so you can claim what's rightfully yours without any confusion.
What Is the Maritime Floating Staff Welfare Trust?
The MFSWT is a registered charitable trust, established on February 12, 1993, under the Charitable Trust Act 1950, and registered with the Charity Commissioner. Its purpose is simple: to support Indian Merchant Navy Officers with medical treatment costs incurred in India, both for themselves and their immediate families.
Who Is Eligible and For How Long?
Here's the part every officer needs to get right, because your entitlement is directly tied to your sailing time.
The rule: For every one month you spend onboard a vessel, you earn 10 days of medical treatment support once you sign off and are ashore.
Example: Serve 6 months on a ship → you're eligible for 60 days of medical treatment support after signing off.
⚠️ Important catch: If you extend your leave beyond your earned entitlement, claims for your wife and children will not be accepted during that extended period unless you're appearing for MOT (COC) exams.
Extra Support If You're Appearing for MOT (COC) Exams
Studying for your Certificate of Competency exam? The Trust has you covered a little longer. Once you exhaust your regular entitlement (the 10-days-per-month calculation above), you get an additional 10 months of medical support to see you through your exam period.
Example: 6 months at sea = 60 days regular entitlement + 10 extra months while preparing for MOT(COC) = significant extended coverage.
Keep in mind:
This benefit applies only for your first attempt at each MOT(COC) exam.
You must attach proof of examination (admit card, exam schedule, etc.) with your claim form.
Who Else Is Covered? (Family Eligibility)
The scheme extends to:
The officer (must be eligible himself, this is non-negotiable, as family coverage depends entirely on the officer's own eligibility)
His wife
The first two children, up to 21 years of age
❌ Parents and siblings are not covered under this scheme.
Already Have Insurance? You Can Still Claim the Balance
If your family is already covered by a personal or employer insurance policy, you can approach the Trust for reimbursement of the balance amount. You'll need to submit:
Original bills or insurer-endorsed photocopies (hard copy only)
A copy of the settlement letter from your insurer (TPA)
Signed Off on Medical Grounds?
If you've signed off due to a medical condition, your employer's insurance is your first point of contact — reach out to your company directly. Only once your treatment crosses 130 days can you approach the Trust office for reimbursement, and even then it's subject to Trustees' approval.
What Does the Scheme Actually Pay For?(Reimbursement Limits)
This is the number every officer wants to know. Here's the category-wise breakdown, per person, per financial year:
Category | What's Covered | Maximum Payable |
Domiciliary Treatment | Consultation, medicines, investigations | Rs. 10,000 |
Dental Treatment | 75% of total expenses | Rs. 12,500 |
Day Care Treatment | Same-day discharge procedures (cataract, lithotripsy, endoscopy, minor surgery within 12 hrs) | Rs. 40,000 |
Maternity Benefits | Up to 2 deliveries (twins/miscarriage/abortion count as one) | Rs. 50,000 |
Hospital Treatment | Standard hospitalization | Rs. 1,50,000 |
Major Surgical Treatment | Cancer, heart surgery, angioplasty, valve replacement, kidney transplant, neurosurgery, major joint replacement, brain/blood cancer | Rs. 5,00,000 |
What's NOT Covered? (Don't Get Caught Out)
Before you file a claim, double-check it isn't on this exclusion list — a rejected claim wastes everyone's time:
Routine or periodic health checkups
Infertility treatment
Vision tests, laser eye correction, contact lenses, spectacles
Orthodontic treatment (braces, Invisalign, palatal expanders, etc.)
Dental cleaning, scaling, root planing, periodontal maintenance
Dental implants, bridges, and dentures
Vaccinations, cosmetic surgery, hair transplants, bariatric surgery
Convalescence after nervous breakdown, anxiety neurosis, or general debility
Medical equipment/machines for treatment or long-term support
Recurrence of the same illness within 60 days of a settled claim
How to Actually File a Claim: Step-by-Step
Get the right form. Forms are available at the Trust office or downloadable from www.mfswt.com. There are four types:
Registration Form — mandatory first step; must be submitted (and updated whenever family details or address change) before any claim can be processed
Domiciliary Treatment Form — for OPD/general or dental treatment
Day Care Treatment Form — for same-day procedures
Hospitalization Treatment Form — for stays over 24 hours
Fill one form per illness. If you were treated for multiple conditions, each one needs its own form.
Attach the right documents. Generally this means: original bills and receipts, cash memos, medicine bills (as prescribed), doctor's prescriptions, investigation reports, your previous voyage contract letter, and copies of your CDC photo page and last voyage stamping page. Hospitalization claims also need the discharge summary (and birth certificate, for maternity cases).
Submit within 60 days of discharge or recovery. Missed the deadline? You'll need to send a written explanation (email or covering letter) late claims are accepted only with Trustees' approval.
Get your bank details right. Reimbursements are paid only via NEFT to a savings bank account. NRI and NRE accounts are not accepted.
Quick-Fire Rules You Shouldn't Miss
Claims under Rs. 1,000 will not be considered.
Bills without an invoice/receipt number and date are rejected outright.
No photocopies or duplicate bills and any overwriting or alteration on original bills invalidates the entire bill.
Medicine bills that include non-medical items (toothpaste, toiletries, talcum powder, etc.) will have the entire bill rejected.
Newborns are covered only 30 days after being declared healthy and fit for discharge.
Chronic conditions (diabetes, blood pressure, heart ailments) including prolonged Homeopathy/Ayurvedic treatment are settled only once.
Post-hospitalization follow-up is covered for up to 3 months from the date of discharge.
Your claim details are kept confidential the Trust won't disclose them to third parties, even if someone claims to be enquiring on your behalf.
Where to Send Your Claim
Send your completed forms and documents directly to the Trust office (not via a third party) to avoid delays or misplacement:
The Maritime Floating Staff Welfare Trust Unit No. 1&2 AB, Gr. Floor, Abhishek Premises, Kuber Complex Lane, Veera Desai Industrial Estate, Opp. SAB TV Lane, Andheri (W), Mumbai – 400 053
📞 022-48015707 / 08 / 09
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many days of medical support am I entitled to after signing off?
You earn 10 days of medical treatment support for every 1 month you served onboard. So 6 months at sea = 60 days of coverage ashore.
Can my wife and children claim if I extend my leave beyond my entitlement?
No. Once your earned entitlement period is over, claims for your wife and children will not be accepted during the extended leave unless you're appearing for MOT (COC) exams.
I'm preparing for my MOT (COC) exam. Do I get extra coverage?
Yes. Once your regular entitlement is exhausted, you get an additional 10 months of medical support while preparing for your exam. This applies only to your first attempt at each exam, and proof of examination must be submitted with your claim.
Are my parents or siblings covered under this scheme?
No. Only the officer, his wife, and the first two children (up to age 21) are eligible. Parents and siblings are excluded.
My family already has health insurance. Can I still claim from the Trust?
Yes, you can claim reimbursement for the balance amount not covered by your other policy. You'll need to submit original bills or insurer-endorsed photocopies along with a copy of the settlement letter.
I signed off due to a medical condition. Who do I approach first?
Contact your company first, since you're covered by your employer's insurance in this case. You can approach the Trust only after your treatment crosses 130 days, and it's subject to Trustees' approval.
How much can I claim for hospitalization or major surgery?
Standard hospitalization is covered up to Rs. 1,50,000. Major surgical treatments (cancer, heart surgery, angioplasty, kidney transplant, neurosurgery, major joint replacement, etc.) are covered up to Rs. 5,00,000.
Is routine dental cleaning or braces covered?
No. Dental cleaning, scaling, root planing, orthodontic treatment (braces, Invisalign, etc.), implants, bridges, and dentures are all excluded. Only extractions, root canals, crowns, flap surgery, and similar procedures are considered.
How soon after treatment do I need to submit my claim?
Within 60 days of discharge or recovery. If you miss this window, you must send a written explanation (email or covering letter), and late submissions are accepted only with Trustees' approval.
Will a claim under Rs. 1,000 be processed?
No. Claims below Rs. 1,000 are not considered under the scheme.
Can I submit photocopies of my bills?
No. Duplicate or photocopied bills are not accepted, and original bills with any alterations or overwriting will also be rejected.
How will I receive my reimbursement?
Only via NEFT to a savings bank account. NRI and NRE accounts are not accepted.
Are twin deliveries or a miscarriage counted as separate maternity claims?
No. Twin delivery, miscarriage, and abortion (under medical advice) are all treated as one maternity claim. Only 2 maternity claims are reimbursable in total.
When is a newborn's treatment covered?
Newborns are covered starting 30 days after being declared healthy and fit for discharge from the hospital. Any complications immediately after birth are clubbed with the mother's maternity claim.
