Norka Care expatriate insurance scheme gets a grand start
text_fields
Efforts will be made to make treatment facilities available in hospitals, including those in GCC countries, through the Norka Care expatriate health and accident insurance scheme, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
He was inaugurating the comprehensive health and accident insurance scheme Norka Care, launched by the state government through Norka Roots for non-resident Keralites.
The Chief Minister also said that cashless treatment is being ensured in about 16,000 hospitals in the state at a low premium. “The hard work and sacrifice of migrants contribute to the progress of the country. The government is committed to integrating them. Kerala is a great example of ensuring the welfare of migrants and providing them with the necessary services in a timely manner. Before 2016, there were only 13 schemes for migrant welfare. Now the number has increased to 20.”
He further stated that while ₹25 crore was previously allocated for various migrant welfare schemes in the state budget, this financial year, the allocation has been increased to ₹150 crore.
The Norka Care global registration drive, which will continue until October 22, has also been launched. Alongside, the Norka Care mobile app was introduced.
The e-card for the first expatriate family enrolled in the scheme was handed over to Praveena, the wife of Thiruvananthapuram native M.S. Sumesh, who works at Abu Dhabi Oil and Gas Company.
She received the e-card from Norka Roots Resident Vice Chairman P. Sriramakrishnan. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal presided over the function. Norka Roots Director O.V. Mustafa delivered the keynote address, Norka Divisional Secretary S. Harikishore welcomed the gathering, and Norka Roots Chief Executive Officer Ajith Kolassery delivered the vote of thanks.
Other dignitaries present included Loka Kerala Sabha Director Asif K. Yusuf, Norka Roots Director O.V. Mustafa, NRI (K.) Commission Chairperson Justice (Retd.) Sophie Thomas, Kerala Expatriate Welfare Board Chairman Gafoor P. Lillis, and New India Assurance Corporation Managing Director Girija Subramanian.
The Chief Minister also responded humorously to the ‘empty chair’ controversy at the Ayyappa Sangam. The audience erupted in laughter and applause when he remarked that he was happy to see so many people come together, joking that some might now struggle to find an empty chair.
Norka Care is the country’s first comprehensive health and accident insurance scheme exclusively for expatriates.
Coverage under the scheme will begin on November 1.
Cashless treatment will be available to NRIs in over 16,000 hospitals across the country, including more than 500 in Kerala. Members will receive health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh and accident insurance coverage of ₹10 lakh.
The annual premium is ₹13,411 for a family of four (husband, wife, and two children up to the age of 25). For a single person, the premium is ₹8,101, and for an additional child, it is ₹4,130.
Those aged between 18 and 70 with a valid Norka Expatriate ID, Student ID, or NRK ID card are eligible to join the scheme.
A system will also be put in place for expatriates returning to the country after their policy expires.
For more information, expatriates can contact the 24-hour Norka Global Contact Centre on toll-free numbers 1800 425 3939 (from India) and +91-8802 012 345 (from abroad, missed call service).