Onam gift for Kerala expats in UAE: Dh21K health cover for less than Dh1/day

Kerala expats in the UAE and beyond have an early Onam gift.
The Kerala Government’s Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) is launching ‘Norka Care’, a health insurance plan offering coverage of Rs500,000 (about Dh21,000) for a premium of less than Dh1 per day.  With an annual premium of about Rs7,800 (Dh328), individuals can avail cashless treatment at more than 14,000 hospitals across India, including more than 400 in Kerala.

The scheme is open to Keralite expats holding a NORKA Pravasi/NRK ID Card. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will officially launch the programme on September 22 from Thiruvananthapuram. Expats will have a one-month window (till October 22) to enrol. Applicants must first obtain a NORKA ID through the official website to enrol in the insurance plan. The ID card is valid for three years. The official policy document will be released on November 1.

A high-level delegation from NORKA Roots, including Resident Vice Chairman P. Sreeramakrishnan, CEO Ajith Kolassery, and Principal Secretary S. Harikishore, is on a visit here to promote the initiative. They are engaging with Indian associations and forums to maximise enrolment, with events already held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and plans for Sharjah and the northern emirates on Sunday.

The NORKA ID Card comes with an add-on personal accident insurance of Rs500,000. Individuals aged 18 to 70 years can enrol.

Premiums: Rs7,800 per individual; Rs13,200 for a family of four (husband, wife, two children under 25); additional children can be added for Rs4,000 each. All rates include taxes.

“The scheme provides cashless treatment, reducing the risk of claim rejection compared to reimbursement,” Kolassery told reporters in Dubai.
“Pre-existing conditions are covered with no waiting period. Repatriation costs up to Rs50,000 are included.”

New India Assurance will provide coverage. Each enrolee receives an e-card, which, along with a valid photo ID, will enable hospitals to initiate cashless treatment.

“We focused on affordability, competitive rates and accessibility,” Kolassery said.

A dedicated mobile app allows enrolment and payment using Indian and international debit/credit cards (Visa, Mastercard). The app will go live from September 22, coinciding with the start of the enrolment period.

NORKA Roots will establish a call centre to address grievances. Expats across India and abroad can access the scheme at over 14,000 hospitals nationwide, with 410 hospitals in Kerala participating.

Enrolment window: September 22 to October 22. The scheme will reopen for enrolment after one year.