Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has sanctioned an additional ₹250 crore towards its flagship health insurance programme, the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP), which supports over 41.99 lakh underprivileged and vulnerable residents across the state.

Announcing the funding boost on Wednesday, Finance Minister K N Balagopal said, “A total of ₹4,618 crore has been allocated for KASP so far under the second Pinarayi Vijayan government.”

Managed by the State Health Agency, KASP offers free medical care worth up to ₹5 lakh annually per family, aimed at those in the economically weaker sections.

Sharing further details of the scheme, Balagopal said, “The annual premium per family is ₹1,050. The state government fully bears the premium for 18.02 lakh families, while for another 23.97 lakh families, it covers ₹418.80 of the premium, with the remaining amount contributed by the Central Government.”

Currently, KASP beneficiaries can avail treatment at 197 state-run hospitals, four Central Government facilities and 364 private hospitals that are empanelled under the scheme.

“Treatment is provided free of cost at all empanelled hospitals, whether government or private,” the Minister emphasised.

In addition to KASP, the Kerala government also operates the Karunya Benevolent Fund (KBF), which offers one-time treatment support of up to ₹2 lakh for families with an annual income below ₹3 lakh. For kidney-related ailments, the assistance increases to ₹3 lakh, Balagopal said.

PTI