Kerala Launches Nationwide Health and Accident Insurance Scheme for Expatriate Keralites and Their Families
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being | SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Institutions: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare | Government of Kerala
The Kerala government has launched “NORKA Care”, a new health and accident insurance scheme tailored for Pravasi Keralites (migrant workers from Kerala within India and abroad) and their families. NORKA stands for Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department. The scheme provides cashless treatment in over 16,000 hospitals nationwide, including more than 500 in Kerala. Coverage begins on 1 November 2025, with a global registration campaign from 22 September to 22 October.
Key features include:
Eligibility: Ages 18–70, with NORKA ID / NRK ID / Student ID.
Coverage: ₹5 lakh annual health insurance + ₹10 lakh accident protection.
Plans: Individual plan at ₹8,101/year; family plan at ₹13,411/year (for spouse + two children).
Additional benefits: ₹50,000 coverage for Ayush treatments, no waiting period, pre-existing illnesses covered.
Kerala’s move reflects how states can design targeted welfare mechanisms for diaspora and migrant communities, often overlooked in conventional health systems. The scheme illustrates how migrant identity databases (like NORKA ID) can be leveraged to deliver portable, cashless health security across India.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can other states with large migrant populations design similar health security models that ensure portability, affordability, and inclusion for workers and their families?
Follow the full news here:
https://kerala.gov.in/articledetail/OTc1MDAzNjQ1LjQ0/0