Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP): An Overview

In Summary

Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP) is Kerala's flagship health insurance scheme that provides eligible families with financial support for secondary and tertiary healthcare services.

Key Points

• Offers health coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family.
• Provides cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals.
• Covers pre-existing diseases from the first day.
• Includes secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
• Integrates multiple government healthcare schemes into one platform.

KASP helps eligible families manage hospitalisation expenses with government-backed healthcare benefits. If you're looking for additional coverage beyond government schemes. Before choosing additional coverage, check premium to understand your estimated cost. 

The Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP) was introduced by the Government of Kerala by combining several government-sponsored healthcare schemes into a single programme. These include RSBY, CHIS, SCHIS, Karunya Benevolent Fund (KBF), and Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY.

To strengthen healthcare delivery, the Government of Kerala signed an agreement with the National Health Authority (NHA) on 31 October 2018 and established the State Health Agency (SHA) to implement the scheme across the state.

The table below highlights the key details of the Karunya Health Insurance Scheme.

Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP) provides comprehensive healthcare benefits through a fully government-funded model.

• Government funding: The scheme is fully financed by the Government, helping eligible families reduce healthcare expenses.
• Health coverage: Offers up to Rs. 5 lakh per family each year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
• Cashless treatment: Enables beneficiaries to receive treatment at empanelled public and private hospitals without upfront payment.
• Financial relief: Helps reduce the burden of high medical expenses arising from serious illnesses.
• Pre and post-hospitalisation: Covers 3 days of pre-hospitalisation and 15 days of post-hospitalisation, including medicines and diagnostic tests.
• No eligibility restrictions: There are no limits based on family size, age, or gender.
• Pre-existing disease cover: Covers all eligible pre-existing conditions from the first day of enrolment.
• Nationwide portability: Allows beneficiaries to receive treatment at empanelled hospitals across India.
• Treatment coverage: Includes around 1,573 medical procedures, covering medicines, medical supplies, diagnostics, physician fees, and other related treatment costs.

The Karunya Health Insurance Scheme offers health coverage on a family floater basis, ensuring eligible families receive financial support for a wide range of medical expenses.

• Family floater coverage: Provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family, which can be shared among all eligible family members.
• No family size limit: Unlike RSBY, there is no restriction on the number of family members covered under the scheme.
• Medical expenses covered: Includes consultation, treatment, hospitalisation, pre-hospitalisation care, medicines, medical consumables, diagnostic tests, and laboratory investigations.
• Additional benefits: Covers medical implants, accommodation expenses, and post-hospitalisation follow-up care for up to 15 days.

The Karunya Benevolent Fund (KBF), administered by the State Lotteries Department, offers financial assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals suffering from severe ailments like cancer, Haemophilia, and heart diseases, funded through Kerala lottery proceeds. It aids those unable to afford treatment costs, especially with an annual family income below Rs. 3 lakh. Beneficiaries can access cashless treatment at KASP empaneled hospitals, with an increasing number of healthcare providers and treatment packages. IT integration improves patient-centric approaches within the KBF scheme.

Given below are the key points of difference between the old KBF and the revised KBF policies after the launch of Karunya health insurance scheme:

Eligibility requirements for Karunya Health Insurance are as follows:

• Residency in Kerala is mandatory.
• Applicants must be below the poverty line to qualify.
• Both Below Poverty Line and Above Poverty Line households with an annual income under Rs. 3 lakhs are eligible.
• Documentation including Aadhaar card, income certificate, and other necessary paperwork is required for enrollment.

Here's how to apply for the Karunya Health Insurance Scheme online:

• Step 1: Visit the official Kerala Government website at https://karunya.kerala.gov.in to initiate the application process.
• Step 2: Navigate to the "How to Apply" section and download the application form.
• Step 3: Fill in your details accurately on the form and submit it along with the necessary documents.

The Karunya Health Insurance Scheme marks a substantial advancement in Kerala's endeavor to deliver accessible and cost-effective healthcare to its vulnerable demographics. Targeting critical illnesses known for their expensive treatments, the health insurance scheme strives to alleviate financial strains on low and middle-income households, guaranteeing essential healthcare access regardless of financial constraints.

Conclusion

Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP) helps eligible families access quality healthcare by reducing the financial burden of hospitalisation and critical treatments. If you're looking for health coverage beyond government schemes. Want to know how much additional health coverage may cost? Get quote in just a few steps.