Karunya Health Scheme

The Kerala government has launched the Karunya Health Scheme to provide health insurance coverage to the underprivileged sections of society. It provides services at a nominal premium charge. It was originally launched by the UDF government in 2012. And the reigning government decided to continue with the project. Funding for the scheme comes from the Kerala lottery.

The scheme is also known as Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP). KASP is Kerala’s version of Ayushman Bharat Yojana. 

Features of the Karunya Health Scheme

• Treatment is provided at both empanelled government and private hospitals
• The scheme provides Rs. 5 lakhs/household/year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization and covers over 42 lakh vulnerable and poor households; the scheme covers up to 3 days of hospitalization and 15 days of post-hospitalization expenses (diagnostics and medicines)
• Every household that signs up for this scheme will get this amount; each family member gets a unique card and a minimum 5 members of a single family can participate in this program.
• There’s no restriction in terms of age, gender, or family size; pre-existing conditions are also covered from day one
• The benefits of this scheme are portable across the country, i.e., the beneficiary can avail of the benefits at any impanelled private/public hospital in India to get cashless treatment  
• Furthermore, the scheme/policy covers around 1,573 procedures while covering all treatment costs including supplies, drugs, physician’s fees, diagnostic services, surgeon charges, room charges, OT and ICU charges
• One can visit the website http://www.karunya.kerala.gov.in/ to find information regarding this policy. 

The website contains information regarding application forms, declarations, network hospitals, claim processes, etc. It has a list of beneficiaries in a specific location; one just needs to visit the website, click ‘list of beneficiaries,’ and choose her/his hospital, district, and applicable dates. 

The website can be further used to get the list of network hospitals; just click ‘list of hospitals,’ and choose your district and region. To track your application, click ‘application tracking,’ and give the file number to get the status of your application. 

Also, one can apply for the scheme by going to this website, clicking ‘how to apply,’ downloading the application form in PDF format, and completing the same before sending to an appropriate government agency with the needed materials.

Benefits of the Karunya Health Scheme

This scheme is especially beneficial for treating critical illnesses. Some of the acute illnesses covered are:

• Hemophilia
• Cancer
• Heart diseases
• Kidney diseases
• Palliative care

Note that the government offers treatment benefits up to Rs. 2 lakhs for these diseases. The amount can be extended up to Rs. 3 lakhs when the disease is of the extreme level.

Eligibility Criteria

• The beneficiary should be a resident of Kerala
• S/he should belong to below poverty line (BPL) or above poverty line (APL) sections of the society and should have a maximum annual income of Rs. 3 lakhs
• S/he must provide her/his Aadhaar card, income certificate, and other necessary documents (original residential proof, BPL card, a ration card copy, photo) during enrolment for the scheme; mobile number and contact details may also be required

Conclusion

Contact details for help – 

Helpline number: (0471) 3230-448

Email ID: karunyabf@gmail.com

There were rumors about the Karunya Health Scheme being discontinued. However, the government has said that it has no such plans in the near future.