Financial Woes Hinder Kerala’s Adoption of New Health Package for Karunya Arogya Scheme

Kerala faces challenges in transitioning to the revised rates under the Health Benefits Package 2022 for Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP), the state’s healthcare scheme in collaboration with the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). Despite calls from private hospitals and the High Court to consider the updated rates, financial constraints are impeding the shift.

The Principal Secretary (Health) issued an order citing the state’s financial crisis as a limiting factor in adopting the updated Health Benefits Package. Kerala, grappling with ongoing financial woes, expressed its inability to migrate to the new rates without increased financial assistance from the Centre. The state remains unique in adhering to rates from the Health Benefits Packages 2.0 of 2020, offering fewer benefits to hospitals and beneficiaries compared to the HBP 2022.

Key Points:

High Court Intervention: Kerala received a request from private hospitals, backed by the High Court, to revise treatment charges by adopting the Health Benefits Package 2022, a move accepted by the Centre.

Financial Constraints: The state cites its financial crisis as a significant hurdle in shifting to the updated package, which promises enhanced benefits for both empanelled hospitals and beneficiaries.

Beneficiary Discrepancies: The revised package from 2022 ensures a patient receives Rs 2100 for a day’s treatment, a significant increase from the Rs 750 received under the existing system. Discrepancies also exist in specialty treatments.

Current Status: Kerala remains the only state following the rates from Health Benefits Packages 2.0 of 2020, indicating a reluctance to adopt the updated rates due to financial difficulties.

Beneficiary Population: As of now, there are approximately 43 lakh beneficiaries under the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi in Kerala, with the state grappling with arrears owed to both private and government hospitals.

The situation underscores the complexities faced by Kerala in balancing healthcare affordability, financial stability, and the demands of an evolving healthcare landscape. The state expresses its willingness to reconsider the matter if the Centre provides increased financial assistance.

Back to top button

Adblock Detected

Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker