The Kerala government is set to launch the Oommen Chandy Free Health Insurance Scheme, a key UDF election promise, as part of its 100-day action plan, with an official announcement expected around Onam.
Under the proposed scheme, every family in the state will receive free health insurance coverage of up to ₹25 lakh. The government also plans to bring all existing state-run treatment assistance programmes under a single umbrella, including the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP), the Karunya Benevolent Fund (KBF) and other related healthcare schemes.
Gold 101.3FM UAE’s No.1 radio station reports that a joint team from the Finance and Health Departments is preparing a comprehensive policy document before the scheme is formally launched.
The government is also working on the premium structure. Chief Minister V D Satheesan has indicated that high-income families may be required to pay a premium, while Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and other economically weaker sections are likely to receive premium exemptions.
Before finalising the scheme, the government is examining three key issues: whether Medisep, which covers state government employees and pensioners, and health insurance programmes run by public sector institutions should be merged with the new scheme; whether the same insurance coverage should apply equally to both small and large families; and whether Ayushman Bharat and other Central government health insurance programmes can be integrated into the new initiative.
Speaking in the Assembly on June 22, the Chief Minister said private hospitals will also be empanelled under the scheme, while the final premium will be decided after agreements are signed with insurance companies.
Meanwhile, Health and Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan said the guidelines for the Oommen Chandy Free Health Insurance Scheme are being prepared under the direct supervision of the Chief Minister, with the programme being positioned as one of the government’s flagship healthcare initiatives.
