Published Sep 25, 2026 | 4:23 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 25, 2026 | 4:23 PM
K Muraleedharan. (X)
Synopsis: The Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme was included in the Indira guarantees the UDF had made to the electorate before the Assembly elections. It envisages health insurance coverage of up to ₹25 lakh for every family in the State.
The Government of Keralam constituted a technical committee on Friday, 25 September, to prepare a detailed project report for implementing its Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme.
The scheme, included in the Indira guarantees the UDF had made to the electorate before the Assembly elections, envisages health insurance coverage of up to ₹25 lakh for every family in the State.
Health Minister K Muraleedharan said the committee, headed by the Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, has been asked to submit its report within four months.
The committee includes insurance-sector experts Girish Radhakrishnan, former Chairman and Managing Director of United India Insurance Company and former State Insurance Ombudsman; PJ Joseph, former member of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India; and K Sanath Kumar, former Chairman and Managing Director of National Insurance Company.
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The Secretaries of Finance and Planning and the Executive Director of the State Health Agency (SHA) will also be members.
The proposed scheme aims to bring all families in the State under health insurance coverage by keeping income-based restrictions to a minimum.
The government is considering implementing it through the SHA, enabling beneficiaries to avail themselves of cashless treatment at empanelled government and private hospitals.
The technical committee will examine the possibility of integrating the new scheme with existing health insurance schemes and public health assistance programmes.
It will also work out the financial model, hospital empanelment criteria, claims management and quality assurance mechanisms, besides grievance-redressal arrangements.
The 2026–27 State Budget announced universal health coverage.
Muraleedharan said the government was moving ahead with the scheme as part of its commitment to fulfil the UDF’s election promises.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
