The Kerala government has taken a significant step towards universal health coverage with the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASAP), an integrated health protection scheme designed to provide comprehensive medical coverage to the state’s most vulnerable populations. With an additional allocation of ₹300 crore, the total funding for KASAP in the current financial year has reached ₹978.54 crore, reinforcing the government’s commitment to ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare.
A Boon for the Underprivileged
KASAP primarily targets the poorest 40% of Kerala’s population, covering over 64 lakh beneficiaries, and aims to alleviate the financial burden of medical expenses. This initiative is crucial for low-income families who often struggle to afford quality healthcare.
Key Objectives of KASAP
- Financial Protection: Provides an annual health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family.
- Wide Beneficiary Base: Covers approximately 41.99 lakh families.
- Access to Critical Healthcare: Ensures secondary and tertiary medical services for those in need.
Comprehensive Coverage & Benefits
KASAP is designed to offer cashless medical treatment across a wide network of hospitals, significantly reducing out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiaries.
- Hospitalization Coverage: Covers costs for various medical treatments.
- Empanelled Hospitals: Beneficiaries can avail services at 197 state-run hospitals, 4 central hospitals, and 364 private hospitals across Kerala.
- Pre & Post-Hospitalization: Extends up to 15 days after discharge, ensuring holistic care.
- Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions: Beneficiaries are eligible from day one, eliminating waiting periods.
- No Family Size or Age Restrictions: Ensures universal access within the targeted groups.
Integration with Other Government Health Schemes
KASAP is a converged initiative, integrating multiple government-sponsored healthcare schemes to create a seamless health service framework:
- Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY)
- Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS)
- Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS)
- Karunya Benevolent Fund (KBF)
This streamlined approach ensures that beneficiaries receive efficient and uninterrupted healthcare support.
Karunya Benevolent Fund: A Lifesaver for Critical Illnesses
A unique aspect of KASAP is its synergy with the Karunya Benevolent Fund (KBF), which provides financial aid for severe ailments such as cancer, kidney disease, and heart conditions.
- Funding Source: The KBF is supported through Kerala’s lottery system, making it a self-sustaining model for healthcare funding.
- Extended Assistance: Supplements KASAP by covering high-cost treatments that require additional financial support.
Towards a Healthier Future
KASAP is not just a welfare initiative—it is a transformative step towards healthcare equity. By ensuring cashless treatment, integrating multiple schemes, and providing critical illness support, the scheme is paving the way for a more resilient and inclusive healthcare system in Kerala.
With continued government investment and community participation, KASAP is set to redefine public health accessibility, ensuring that quality healthcare remains a right, not a privilege.