Kerala · Health Cover Guide

Health insurance options in Kerala

Before you raise or donate funds, check whether the family qualifies for one of these genuine cashless schemes. Government schemes are free; private plans start around ₹8,000–₹12,000 per year for a family floater.

KASP — Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi

State Health Agency, Govt. of Kerala

Government

Cover: ₹5 lakh / family / year (cashless, secondary + tertiary care)
Premium: Free for beneficiaries — funded by Centre + State.
Eligibility: PMJAY (SECC 2011) list + additional state-added categories (BPL, low-income families in Kerala).
Helpline: 155368 / 14555

Kerala's extension of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. Cashless treatment at all empanelled Government and Private hospitals across Kerala.

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Karunya Benevolent Fund (KBF)

Kerala State Lotteries Dept.

Government

Cover: Up to ₹3 lakh (case-based grant, not insurance)
Premium: No premium — apply through the treating hospital.
Eligibility: BPL / low-income patients (annual family income under ₹3 lakh) suffering from cancer, kidney failure, heart, brain and other listed illnesses.
Helpline: 0471-2305230

Ideal fallback when the beneficiary is not in the KASP list. Application is filed by the empanelled hospital's medical superintendent.

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Cancer Suraksha (For children below 18)

State Health Agency, Kerala

Government

Cover: Full cancer treatment cost
Premium: Free.
Eligibility: Kerala children under 18 with annual family income under ₹3 lakh.

Cashless paediatric cancer care at RCC Thiruvananthapuram, MCC Thalassery, Amrita, RCC Kochi and other tie-ups.

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Star Health — Family Health Optima

Star Health & Allied Insurance

Private

Cover: ₹3 – 25 lakh (floater)
Premium: ≈ ₹8,000–20,000 / year for a family of 4 (age dependent).
Eligibility: Any resident, 18–65 yrs proposer.
Helpline: 1800-425-2255

Widest cashless network in Kerala. Good day-1 cover for accidents.

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Care Health — Care Advantage

Care Health Insurance (Religare)

Private

Cover: ₹5 lakh – 1 crore
Premium: ≈ ₹10,000+ / year for family floater.
Eligibility: 18–75 yrs.
Helpline: 1800-102-4488

Strong for high-cover hospitalisation; recharge & no-claim bonus.

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Niva Bupa — ReAssure 2.0

Niva Bupa Health Insurance

Private

Cover: ₹5 lakh – 1 crore, unlimited restoration
Premium: ≈ ₹12,000+ / year for floater.
Eligibility: 18 yrs and above.
Helpline: 1860-500-8888

Popular in Kerala for private-room cover and lifetime renewability.

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HDFC ERGO — Optima Secure

HDFC ERGO General Insurance

Private

Cover: ₹5 lakh – 2 crore, 4x cover with secure/plus/protect benefits
Premium: ≈ ₹10,000+ / year for floater.
Eligibility: 18 yrs and above.
Helpline: 022-6234-6234

Wide cashless network in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode.

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ICICI Lombard — Complete Health Insurance

ICICI Lombard

Private

Cover: ₹3 lakh – 50 lakh
Premium: ≈ ₹9,000+ / year for floater.
Eligibility: 5 – 85 yrs.
Helpline: 1800-2666

Good for elderly parents' add-ons.

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Not sure which scheme applies to you?

Call the Kerala State Health Agency helpline at 14555 or visit any Akshaya centre with your ration card. They'll check if your family is on the KASP / PMJAY list for free. If not, the Karunya Benevolent Fund is your next option before considering a paid private policy.

Insurance details are indicative and may change. Always read the policy document and confirm premium / cover with the insurer.