Quick Overview
For families who qualify, Karunya Health Insurance or(KASP) can take a huge financial burden off their shoulders by covering hospital costs up to ₹5 lakh every year. But many people miss out simply because they don’t know how the scheme works. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from eligibility and hospital lists to using your KASP card, so that you don’t lose out on benefits you’re entitled to.
Benefits of Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi
- Cashless Treatment: Eligible families can access cashless treatment at empanelled government and private hospitals.
- No Age or Family Size Limit: There are no restrictions based on age, gender, or family size.
- Comprehensive Treatment Coverage: Covers 1,573 medical procedures under secondary and tertiary care, including hospitalizations, surgeries, diagnostics, and medicines (OPD and routine outpatient visits aren’t covered).
- Pan-India Hospital Access: KASP benefits can be used at any empanelled public or private hospital across India. Carry your KASP/Ayushman Card and a valid ID (like Aadhaar) to avail cashless treatment even outside Kerala.
- Pre-existing Diseases Covered: All pre-existing conditions are covered from the first day, with no waiting period.
- Hospitalization Expenses Covered: Includes room charges, doctor and surgeon fees, ICU charges, medicines, and related costs.
- Pre & Post-Hospitalization Support: Covers expenses for 3 days before and 15 days after hospitalization.
Eligibility Criteria for Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi
Karunya Health Insurance Hospital List
Since the list of empanelled hospitals is updated frequently, you can access the most current version through the State Health Agency (SHA) Kerala portal:
- Official Website: Visit sha.kerala.gov.in or directly visit the official list of Empanelled Hospitals under KASP–AB PMJAY.
- Search by District: The website allows you to filter hospitals by district (e.g., Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode) and type (Public or Private).
- National List: Since the scheme is part of Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY), you can also use the PM-JAY Hospital Search to find empanelled hospitals nationwide.
Major Empanelled Hospitals
Below are some prominent hospitals that generally accept Karunya Health Insurance:
How to Apply for Karunya Health Insurance?
Karunya Health Insurance (KASP) is a government-funded scheme aimed at pre-identified vulnerable households, so you cannot directly apply for it through an online form or open registration.
Instead, you must check your eligibility and, if eligible, complete the enrollment (e-KYC) process to generate your card.
How to Enroll
- Check Eligibility: Visit the PM-JAY Beneficiary Portal to see if your name is on the list based on your Aadhaar or Ration Card number.
- Visit a Centre: If you are eligible but don't have a card, visit the nearest Akshaya Centre (or Arogya Mitra counter), CSC (Common Service Centre), or an empanelled public/private hospital.
- Provide Documents: Present your Aadhaar Card, Ration Card, and mobile phone to the operator.
- Complete e-KYC: The operator will perform an e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) check using OTP or fingerprint authentication.
- Card Generation: Once verified, your Ayushman Card (KASP ID) will be generated on the spot.
Note: Once your AB PM-JAY–KASP card is generated and your family remains eligible, coverage continues automatically every year, no annual renewal required.
Documents Required for Karunya Health Insurance Scheme
- Aadhaar Card: Mandatory proof of identity and required for e-KYC authentication of all family members.
- Ration Card: Used as address proof and to verify family details as per the SECC 2011 database.
- Updated Passport-size Photograph: Needed for identity verification and card generation.
- Mobile Number: Required to receive OTPs for authentication and scheme-related updates.
- BPL Card / Income Certificate: Not mandatory, but helpful for locating your name in the SECC 2011 database if it is not found immediately.
Did You Know?
There is a separate, smaller scheme called the Karunya Benevolent Fund (KBF) which still exists as a "trust model" for those not covered by KASP but who have serious illnesses (like kidney disease or hemophilia). For this specific fund, an Income Certificate (proving family income is below ₹3 Lakh) and a BPL Card are mandatory to prove eligibility.
Karunya Health Insurance Card
Since Karunya health insurance (KASP) is integrated with the national Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme, you can download your e-card through official national and state portals.
Where to Download (Portals)
- Ayushman App (Mobile): Download the "Ayushman App" from the Google Play Store.
- PM-JAY Beneficiary Portal: Visit beneficiary.nha.gov.in.
- KASP Health App (Mobile): Download the "KASP Health App" from the Google Play Store (State Health Agency Kerala).
- Akshaya Centres: You can visit any nearby Akshaya Centre to have them download and print the card for you.
How to Download Karunya Health Insurance Card
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Conclusion
Karunya Health Insurance isn’t just another government scheme; it fills a very real gap by supporting over 42 lakh vulnerable families in Kerala. It helps people from economically weaker and underserved communities get timely treatment instead of delaying care due to cost. The fact that it covers serious illnesses from day one and offers cashless care at empanelled hospitals makes it genuinely impactful for those who qualify.
That said, KASP is built with a specific group in mind and isn’t meant to replace personal health insurance for everyone. The scheme provides coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year (not per person), and any treatment costs beyond this limit must be borne by the patient. If you’re eligible, it’s absolutely worth using. But if you’re not covered under the scheme, or if you can afford broader protection, a comprehensive health insurance plan can offer wider hospital choices, broader coverage, higher flexibility, and more comfort during treatment. As a first choice, we at Ditto recommend exploring comprehensive health insurance plans that fit your needs, so you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.
Frequently Asked Questions
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