How Indian expats from Kerala in UAE can get Dh21K health cover for less than Dh1/day

Dubai: Indian expats from Kerala living in the UAE have the opportunity to secure a new health insurance policy just in time for the south Indian state’s most important festival, Onam.

As reported by Gulf News on Sunday, the Kerala Government’s Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) has announced the launch of ‘Norka Care’, a new health insurance plan offering coverage of Rs500,000 (around Dh21,000) for an annual premium of less than Dh1 per day for Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs).

If you are among the estimated one-million-plus Keralite community in the UAE, here is what you need to know:

You should be an NRK aged between 18 and 70.

You should hold a NORKA Pravasi ID Card.

·       Individuals can enrol with Rs7,800.

·       Families can also enrol. Rs13,200 covers a family of four (husband, wife, two children under 25).

·       Enrolling each additional child requires Rs4,000 extra.

·       All rates exclude GST.

·       Cashless treatment at more than 14,000 hospitals across India, including 410 in Kerala.

·       Pre-existing conditions covered with no waiting period.

·       Costs of repatriation of mortal remains covered up to Rs50,000.

·       e-Card plus a valid photo ID allows hospitals to start treatment immediately.

·       Enrolment campaign opens on September 22 and closes on October 22.

·       The official policy document will be released on November 1.

·       Applicants must first obtain a NORKA ID through the official website of Norka.

·       Enrolment and payments can be made via a dedicated mobile app supporting Indian and international cards (Visa, Mastercard).

·       The app will also launch on September 22.

·       Once enrolled, the applicant will receive the e-Card.

The Pravasi ID Card is the single stop entity for an NRK to connect with the Kerala Government. This multi-purpose photo identity card entitles every NRK to avail all services and facilities offered by NORKA Roots.

It is open to all NRKs holding a valid visa. Additionally, non-resident Keralites residing outside Kerala but within India can also become members of the NRK ID card.

    • Age 18-70 years
    • You should be an NRK residing or working outside India with a valid passport and visa for at least 6 months.

Before applying, make sure that all the required documents are scanned and prepared in JPEG formats of the following documents:

·       Passport: Copies of the front and address pages

·       Visa/Work Permit/Residence Permit copy

·       Photograph: Recent passport-sized photo

·       Signature: Scanned signature of the applicant

·       Registration Fee: Rs408 per card (including GST for three years)

·       Visit the official NORKA Roots portal:  https://id.norkaroots.kerala.gov.in/

·       Create an account or log in if you already have one.

·       Fill in the required personal details and upload the necessary documents.

·       Pay the registration fee online.

September 22: Enrolment campaign begins with inauguration of the Norka Care plan by the Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan.

October 22: Enrolment campaign ends

November 1: Insurance plan rolls out on Kerala Day, the State Formation Day.

NORKA Pravasi ID comes with an inbuilt accident insurance policy. Cardholders will receive an insurance cover of Rs500,000 in case of accidental death and a maximum of Rs200,000 in case of partial or permanent disability due to an accident.

This will be automatically activated for Norka Care applicants as well when they get the NORKA Pravasi ID.

The Pravasi Raksha Insurance Policy: It is a compensation policy that covers 13 critical and provides personal accident death insurance coverage of Rs300,000. The scheme also covers Rs100,000 for permanent/ partial disability. This is a separate policy and will not be added automatically under Norka Care.

A NORKA Roots call centre will assist expats with queries related to the new Norka Care policy.

A high-level NORKA delegation, including Vice Chairman P Sreeramakrishnan and CEO Ajith Kolassery, is visiting the UAE to promote enrolment, hosting events in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and the northern emirates.