The Hindu : Kerala News : Insurance for 25 lakh poor families

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 10, 2006

Kerala

Kerala

Insurance for 25 lakh poor families

Staff Reporter

Health scheme launched by Union and State Governments

KOCHI: The Union and the State Governments have joined hands to provide health insurance cover to 25 lakh families below poverty line in the State by February 15.

Over 11 lakh families have already been insured under the scheme that is being operated through the Community Development Societies of the Kudumbasree Poverty Eradication Mission. The insurance cover is being provided by ICICI-Lombard General Insurance.

According to an official of the Kudumbasree, the premium for the health insurance cover for a family of five is Rs.399. The money contributions come from various sources. The beneficiary contribution is Rs.33 (in case of Scheduled Tribes or destitute families, the amount will be pitched in by the local panchayat or the local body). The local government body contributes Rs.33 and an equal amount comes from the State Government. The Union Government contributes Rs.300.

The Kudumbasree official said the beneficiaries are identified through the Community Development Societies of the Poverty Eradication Mission.

In case of accidental death or full disability, the insured person's family will get Rs.1 lakh. In case of partial disability, the amount will be Rs.50,000. Payment of up to Rs.30,000 will be made for treatments under any of the medical systems.

If the breadwinner of the family is hospitalised, he and the one attending on him will get a subsistence allowance of Rs.50 each daily.

The insurance scheme also offers a maternity benefit of Rs.15,000. Besides, a person is confined to home for treatment will get Rs.6,000, said the Kudumbasree official.

The scheme has been operational since January 16 and new beneficiaries will be enlisted till February 15, he added. So far 644 local bodies have enlisted with the Kudumbasree Mission for the insurance cover.

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