Kerala Karunya Health Scheme — Free Treatment for BPL Families
Complete guide to Kerala Karunya Health Scheme. Eligibility, covered diseases, benefit amount, application process & hospital list for BPL families.
What is the Karunya Health Scheme?
The Karunya Benevolent Fund (കാരുണ്യ ബെനവലന്റ് ഫണ്ട്) is a health assistance scheme by the Government of Kerala that provides free financial assistance for treatment of serious diseases to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. Launched in 2012, the scheme is uniquely funded through proceeds from Kerala State Lotteries.
The scheme covers life-threatening and critical illnesses including cancer, cardiac diseases, kidney failure, and more — ensuring that financial constraints don't prevent poor families from accessing quality healthcare.
Key Benefits
- Free treatment for serious/critical illnesses
- Financial assistance up to ₹5 lakh (varies by disease and treatment type)
- Covers surgery, chemotherapy, dialysis, organ transplants, and more
- Treatment at government and empaneled private hospitals
- No premium or enrollment fee for eligible families
- Funded by Kerala lottery proceeds — no burden on beneficiaries
Who is Eligible?
To avail benefits under the Karunya Health Scheme, you must meet these criteria:
Mandatory Requirements
- BPL ration card holder (Yellow/Pink card) in Kerala
- Resident of Kerala (permanent resident)
- Annual family income below ₹3 lakh
- Diagnosed with one of the covered critical illnesses
- Treatment recommended by a government doctor
Who Cannot Apply?
- Families with APL (Above Poverty Line) ration cards
- Those already receiving full coverage under other government health schemes for the same treatment
- Non-residents of Kerala
Covered Diseases & Treatments
The Karunya scheme covers treatment for the following major categories:
Cancer (കാൻസർ)
- All types of cancer treatment
- Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery
- Financial assistance: Up to ₹2–5 lakh
Cardiac Diseases (ഹൃദ്രോഗം)
- Heart surgery (bypass, valve replacement)
- Angioplasty and stenting
- Pacemaker implantation
- Financial assistance: Up to ₹2–3 lakh
Kidney Diseases (വൃക്കരോഗം)
- Kidney transplant
- Dialysis (hemodialysis/peritoneal dialysis)
- Financial assistance: Up to ₹2.5–5 lakh
Other Covered Conditions
- Liver diseases — transplant and treatment
- Brain and neurological disorders — surgery and treatment
- Bone marrow transplant
- Cochlear implant (for hearing impairment)
- Hemophilia treatment
- Organ transplants (kidney, liver, heart)
- Rare diseases and congenital conditions requiring surgery
Note: The exact benefit amount varies based on the disease, type of treatment, and hospital. The District Medical Board reviews and approves amounts on a case-by-case basis.
How to Apply
Step 1: Get a Medical Certificate
Visit a government hospital and get a diagnosis/recommendation from the treating doctor. The doctor must certify that the treatment is necessary.
Step 2: Collect Required Documents
Gather all documents listed in the section below.
Step 3: Submit Application at District Medical Office
Submit your application along with documents at:
- District Medical Office (DMO) of your district, OR
- Karunya Benevolent Fund counter at the District Collectorate
Step 4: District Medical Board Review
The District Medical Board reviews your application, verifies documents, and assesses the treatment requirement.
Step 5: Approval & Fund Disbursement
Once approved:
- Funds are released directly to the hospital (for cashless treatment), OR
- Reimbursement is provided to the patient's account for completed treatment
Processing Time
Applications are typically processed within 15–30 working days. Emergency cases may be fast-tracked.
Documents Required
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Form | Available at DMO or District Collectorate |
| BPL Ration Card | Yellow/Pink card (original + photocopy) |
| Aadhaar Card | Of the patient |
| Income Certificate | Issued by Village Officer (annual income < ₹3 lakh) |
| Medical Certificate | From government hospital doctor with diagnosis |
| Treatment Estimate | Cost estimate from the treating hospital |
| Bank Passbook | First page copy with account details |
| Passport-size Photos | 2 recent photos of the patient |
| Referral Letter | If referred from one hospital to another |
Empaneled Hospitals
Treatment is available at:
Government Hospitals
- Government Medical Colleges across all 14 districts
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute, Thiruvananthapuram
- Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Thiruvananthapuram
- Malabar Cancer Centre, Thalassery
- District/General Hospitals with specialty departments
Empaneled Private Hospitals
- Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi
- Aster Medcity, Kochi
- KIMS Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram
- Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode
- Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi
- And several other NABH-accredited private hospitals
Tip: Contact your District Medical Office for the updated list of empaneled hospitals in your district.
Claim Process
For Cashless Treatment (Recommended)
- Get your application approved before starting treatment
- Get admitted to an empaneled hospital
- Hospital directly claims funds from the Karunya Benevolent Fund
- No out-of-pocket payment for the approved amount
For Reimbursement
- If treatment was already completed or in emergency situations
- Submit original bills and discharge summary to the DMO
- Reimbursement is credited to your bank account after verification
Renewal & Continuation
- The scheme provides one-time assistance per illness episode
- For ongoing treatments (e.g., dialysis, chemotherapy), you can apply for continuation of benefits
- Submit a fresh application with updated medical reports for each continuation
- There is no annual renewal like insurance — apply as needed per treatment
Karunya vs Ayushman Bharat — What's Different?
| Feature | Karunya Health Scheme | Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Critical illnesses only | 1,949+ treatment packages |
| Eligibility | Kerala BPL families | SECC 2011 listed families (all India) |
| Benefit | Up to ₹5 lakh (varies) | ₹5 lakh per family/year |
| Funding | Kerala lottery proceeds | Central + State government |
| Scope | Kerala only | Pan-India portability |
| Application | District Medical Office | Online at pmjay.gov.in |
Can you use both? Yes — if you are eligible for both schemes, you can use Ayushman Bharat for general hospitalizations and Karunya for additional support for critical illnesses. They are complementary.
Also see Ayushman Bharat for central health coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any fee to apply?
No. The application and scheme are completely free for BPL families.
Can APL families apply?
Generally no. However, families facing extreme financial hardship due to medical expenses may approach the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) for assistance.
How is the benefit amount decided?
The District Medical Board decides based on the disease, treatment plan, hospital estimate, and scheme guidelines.
Can I choose any hospital?
Treatment must be at a government hospital or empaneled private hospital. Contact your DMO for the approved list.
What if my application is rejected?
You can appeal to the District Collector or apply to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund as an alternative.
Contact & Helpline
- District Medical Office (DMO): Available in all 14 districts of Kerala
- Kerala Health Department Helpline: 0471-2300012
- Disha Helpline (Health): 1056
- Kerala Government Call Centre: 155300
- Website: Kerala Health & Family Welfare
Last updated: February 2026. Benefit amounts and guidelines may change. Always verify current details with your District Medical Office or the Kerala Health Department.