Keralam Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Kerala's newly formed Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government had announced several welfare-oriented guarantees and public benefit schemes in its election manifesto before the 2026 Kerala Assembly Elections. Among the major promises made for the healthcare sector, the government proposed the launch of the Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme, which aims to provide large-scale medical insurance coverage to households across Kerala. The scheme has been named after former Kerala Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy to honour his contribution towards public welfare, healthcare accessibility, and social development in the state.

The proposed Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme Keralam is expected to become one of the largest healthcare insurance programmes in the state by offering health insurance coverage of up to Rs 25 Lakh per household annually. According to the announcement, the scheme is intended to provide financial protection to families facing expensive medical treatment and hospitalisation expenses. The insurance coverage is expected to include hospital admissions, surgeries, cancer treatment, cardiac care, dialysis, critical illness treatment, pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses, and day-care procedures. Beneficiaries are also likely to receive cashless treatment facilities at government hospitals as well as empanelled private hospitals across Kerala.

Unlike targeted health insurance programmes that are limited to economically weaker sections, the Kerala universal health insurance scheme is expected to follow a broader healthcare coverage model. This means households from different income categories, including both APL and BPL families, may become eligible for benefits under the scheme. The primary objective of the programme is to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, improve access to quality medical treatment, and strengthen financial security for families during medical emergencies and critical illnesses.

At present, the Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme has not been officially implemented by the Kerala Government. The scheme will become operational only after receiving cabinet approval and the release of the formal government notification. After approval, the government is expected to publish detailed guidelines related to beneficiary eligibility, required documents, the Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme application process, empanelled hospitals, insurance coverage conditions, and claim settlement mechanisms. Citizens are currently advised to wait for the official launch announcement and registration portal details from the Kerala Government.

The proposed Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme is also expected to replace the existing Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP) scheme currently operational in Kerala. Compared to KASP, the new health insurance programme promises significantly higher annual insurance coverage and wider universal access for households across the state. The Kerala Government is expected to provide detailed information regarding the transition process from KASP to the Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme once the proposal is approved by the state cabinet.

Scheme Benefits

• Every family in Keralam is expected to receive health insurance coverage of up to Rs 25 Lakh per year.
• The scheme is proposed to provide universal health coverage without major income-based restrictions.
• Families may receive cashless treatment at empanelled government and private hospitals.
• The scheme is expected to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure on costly medical procedures and hospitalisation.
• The likely coverage under the scheme may include:
  • Hospitalisation expenses
  • Critical illness treatment
  • Cancer and cardiac care
  • Surgical procedures
  • Dialysis treatment
  • Pre and post-hospitalisation expenses
  • Day-care medical procedures

Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant must be a permanent resident of Kerala.
• The scheme is expected to cover every household in the state.
• Both APL and BPL families are likely to become eligible beneficiaries under the scheme.
• One insurance coverage may be provided per household unit.
• Existing beneficiaries of state health insurance programmes may be integrated into this scheme after implementation.

Note: The criteria shared above are tentative, and final eligibility conditions will be officially notified by the Kerala Government after cabinet approval and formal launch of the scheme.

Required Documents

The Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme is yet to be implemented in the state. Therefore, the list of documents shared below isthe  tentative and may change once the official guidelines are released.

• Aadhaar Card
• Ration Card
• Residence Proof
• Passport-size photograph
• Aadhaar-linked mobile number

Difference Between Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme and KASP Scheme

Steps to Apply

• The Congress-led UDF government is expected to officially launch the Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme soon in Kerala.
• The scheme will become operational after cabinet approval and the release of the official government notification.
• Applicants currently need to wait for the formal launch announcement by the Kerala Government.
• After launch, the government is expected to introduce an online registration portal or offline application facilities through authorised centres.
• Eligible households may need to submit identity and residence documents during registration.
• After verification, beneficiaries are likely to receive a health insurance card or digital ID for availing cashless treatment.
• Beneficiaries will be able to use the insurance coverage at government and empanelled private hospitals across Kerala.
• We will update the application process, once the official guidelines and application process are officially launched.

Relevant Links

• Keralam Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme Registration is currently unavailable.
• Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme Guidelines are not available.
• Kerala State Health Agency Portal

Contact Information

• Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme Helpline Number is not available currently.
• Kerala State Health Agency Phone Number:
  • 0471-2960221
  • 0471-4063121
• Kerala SHA Email Helpdesk: [email protected]