What is the Awaz Health Insurance Scheme?

Awaz Health Insurance Scheme: Benefits, Eligibility & Enrollment Process

Kerala, acclaimed for its progressive policies and social welfare programs, launched the Awaz Health Insurance Scheme in November 2017. Its aim was to protect the health and economic well-being of migrant workers in the state. With a growing number of migrant workers arriving—particularly in the construction, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors—the demand for affordable health care has become urgent.

The Awaz Scheme was created to address this gap and assist this often-overlooked workforce segment. As of February 2023, over 5,13,000 migrant workers had registered for the scheme, underscoring its scale and significance.

Read on to learn more about the scheme's key features and other aspects.

Key Features of the Awaz Health Insurance Scheme

Free Medical Treatment (up to ₹15,000 per annum)

One of the major attractions of the Awaz scheme is the benefit of cashless treatment for migrant workers. This scheme covers costs for migrants up to a maximum of ₹15,000 per year. The funds can be used for outpatient treatment, hospitalization, or occupational illness or injury recovery. These services are provided through the state government and empanelled private hospitals.

This benefit is particularly valuable for low-income staff, who often lack access to medical care due to high costs. Such benefits will encourage them to seek early treatment and maintain their health.

Accidental Death Benefit (₹2 Lakh Coverage)

In unfortunate cases where a registered migrant worker dies in an accident, the scheme provides a payment of ₹2 lakh to their legal nominee or relatives. This offers substantial financial protection to families that would otherwise face hardships following the worker's death.

The benefit covers funeral costs, unpaid bills, and the immediate living expenses of the grieving family, offering much-needed support in such difficult times.

Disability Cover (For Accidents)

Although less emphasized, the scheme also includes disability insurance in cases where accidents render employees permanently or partially disabled. Payments are based on the level of disability and classification, ensuring that injured employees do not suffer from income loss.

Free Smart Card with Key Data

All employees entering the scheme receive a government-sanctioned smart card known as the Awaz card. The card retains the following:

• Personal and biometric details
• Nominee name and contact
• Local address in Kerala
• Health scheme information

This card facilitates a convenient claims process for the benefits and provides proof of identity to access the health facilities covered under the scheme.

Easy Registration and Multilingual Support

Registration has been simplified for employees across India, and it is multilingual and user-friendly. Employees can access any of the more than 200 registration centres open in the state. There are no language restrictions, as support staff speak Bengali, Odia, Hindi, and other languages.

During registration, fingerprints and iris scans are collected as biometric data, and employees receive their smart cards after verification.

Preventive Health Campaigns

In addition to the treatment, the Awaz program may also provide preventive health education. Most migrants come from areas where medical science and hygiene practices may be substandard. The Kerala Labor Department is likely to conduct sessions and campaigns to raise employee awareness of the following:

• Common infectious diseases (like dengue or malaria)
• Workplace safety
• Mental health awareness
• Importance of early diagnosis

It serves as a preventive mechanism that fosters a healthier workforce and reduces the state's healthcare burden over time.

Enrollment Process for the Awaz Health Insurance Scheme

The Kerala government has simplified the enrollment process so that migrant labourers can register and benefit from the scheme in the following ways:

• Visit Registration Centers:Foreign migrant workers can visit more than 200 registration centres in Kerala. These centres are well-equipped to register individuals in various languages and have staff trained to accommodate the workers' diverse cultures.
• Document Submission:Upon joining the Registration Center for employment, workers must present valid identity documents issued by the Central or Kerala government, such as an Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Driving License. Required employment and residence documents may also include these.
• Biometric Data Collection:To ensure accurate identification and prevent fraud, applicants must provide biometric information through iris scans and fingerprints. This information is used to issue smart health cards.
• Distribution of Smart Card:After successful verification and enrollment, the smart card is issued to the workers accessing healthcare services under the scheme.

The Awaz Health Insurance Scheme exemplifies a progressive ethos and a commitment to the well-being of all stakeholders in its economy, including migrant workers who come to the state from outside its borders. Not only does the scheme provide free, universal, and comprehensive health insurance and accident death coverage, benefiting the lives of migrant workers, but it also serves as a model for other states in India to emulate.

In a nation where millions still cannot afford basic healthcare, Kerala's Awaz scheme is a reassuring example of how effective policy-making can yield concrete, long-term results—especially for its most vulnerable populations.