Date:12/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/01/12/stories/2006011203131500.htm

Back Concern over insurance scheme for BPL families in Kerala

Our Bureau

Kochi , Jan. 11

THE General Insurance Officers All India Association (GIOAIA) has expressed concern over the implementation of a new health insurance scheme for BPL families in Kerala.

Mr P.P. Mohanan, State General Secretary of the association, asked whether it is practical to give service to 25 lakh families by a private insurance company having a single office in the State. The four public sector general insurance companies are having about 300 offices in the State, he said.

It is unfortunate that the Government insurance companies having vast experience of three and a half decades have been kept away from implementing the insurance scheme for the poor, he said.

He pointed out that the Universal Health Insurance, which was designed by the Union Government three years ago, has been successfully implementing through the four PSU insurance companies. The annual premium for a single person is Rs 365; for a family of five members, it is Rs 548 and Rs 730 for a family of seven members, including parents of the earning members.

There is a Central Government subsidy of Rs 200, Rs 300 and Rs 400 and so the premium will be Rs 165 (Rs 365-200), Rs 248 (Rs 548-300) and Rs 300 (Rs 730-400) respectively. The total claim amount payable is Rs 30,000 for hospital expenses. As per the new scheme envisaged by the Kerala Government, there is an additional cover of Rs 15,000 for delivery, he said.

Considering the financial constraints of the poor families to pay the premium, local bodies, corporate institutions and social service organisations are sponsoring the health insurance scheme, he added.