Technical Committee constituted for preparation of DPR for Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme
The state government has issued orders to constitute a technical committee to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme announced by the government in the Revised Budget 2026-2027.
The introduction of a health insurance scheme with increased insurance coverage of ₹25,000 was one of the main poll promises of the United Democratic Front (UDF) to the people.
The said committee has been asked to submit its report, including the proposed programme, design and phased implementation plan, within four months from today.
The Committee will be chaired by the Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), its members will include the Additional Principal Secretary/Principal Secretary/Secretary, Department of Finance, Planning and Economic Affairs and the Chief Executive Officer of the State Health Agency will be the convener.
members
The commission will include Girish Radhakrishnan, former chairman and managing director of United India Insurance Company Ltd., who also served as the state insurance ombudsman; PJ Joseph, former chairman of an agricultural insurance company and former member (non-life) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI); and K. Sanath Kumar, former Chairman and Managing Director, National Insurance Company Ltd., as expert members.
The technical expert committee’s terms of reference include recommendations for the overall design of the scheme, including its objectives, population coverage, eligibility criteria, benefit package, financial protection limits and relationship with existing health funding programmes.
The committee will also propose appropriate institutional and governance arrangements, clearly defining the roles of the government, the State Health Agency, the Ministry of Health, public and private hospitals and other participating institutions.
It will assess the financial modalities of the system, including possible funding sources, pooling of available resources, expenditure projections, risk sharing arrangements, cost control measures and short and medium term financial implications for the state.
The committee will also recommend the most appropriate method of implementation, including collateral, insurance or hybrid arrangements, as well as mechanisms for hospital empanelment, strategic purchasing, claims management, quality assurance, complaints handling and monitoring.
It is also expected to review experiences of health insurance and universal health insurance initiatives in other states and identify lessons and practices relevant to Keralam.
IT platform
The expert panel will also determine the appropriate IT platform and digital architecture required for the scheme, including beneficiary identification, hospital transactions, claims processing, fraud control, monitoring, interoperability with existing systems, data management and protection of beneficiary information.
The committee will prepare a phased implementation plan including preparatory activities, transition from or convergence with existing schemes, geographic or population roll-out, institutional readiness, timelines, milestones and monitoring measures.
In preparing its report and recommendations, the committee may consult relevant government departments, agencies, hospitals, technical experts from the private sector including hospital associations, insurance sector experts and other stakeholders as directed by the government.
Published – 24 Sep 2026 22:43 IST