NORKA Care Plus (Kerala)

What is NORKA Care Plus?

NORKA Care Plus is a comprehensive plan that provides health and accident insurance coverage to Non-Resident Keralites. It is for people from Kerala between 18 and 70 years of age who are studying, working, or residing abroad, as well as their families. After the upgradation of Norka Care to Norka Care Plus,the scheme offers medical coverage across seven sum insured tiers: ₹5 lakh, ₹10 lakh, ₹15 lakh, ₹20 lakh, ₹25 lakh, ₹50 lakh, and ₹1 crore. It is also available for NRKs residing in other Indian States.

This health insurance policy is valid for one year and can be renewed annually. The insurance under this scheme is provided by the New India Assurance Company Ltd.

NORKA Care Plus: Key Highlights

Second Phase of Enrollment

NORKA Care Plus is currently running through its second phase of enrollment, distinct from the scheme's original launch window in 2025.

Why a second phase exists:

The initial registration of the Norka Care Plus drive concluded on April 12, 2026. To accommodate eligible Non-Resident Keralites who missed the primary window, NORKA Roots opened a second-phase enrollment period running until September 18, 2026. This allows NRKs to join mid-cycle for an 8-month coverage term at a prorated premium.

What this means practically for a new applicant right now:

• Prorated Premium: Pay only for 8 months of coverage instead of the full annual rate.
• Full Coverage: Retain complete benefits equivalent to the primary annual phase.

Benefits of NORKA Care Plus

Take a look at the key benefits of the NORKA Care Plus:

• Flexible Coverage Slabs: Choose from seven health coverage limits ranging from ₹5 lakh up to ₹1 crore (₹5L, ₹10L, ₹15L, ₹20L, ₹25L, ₹50L, and ₹1 crore).
• Equal Personal Accident Cover: Provides matching Group Personal Accident (GPA) coverage equal to the chosen medical cover sum (e.g., ₹10 lakh GPA for a ₹10 lakh GMC plan).
• Parent & In-Law Inclusion: For plans of ₹10 lakh or higher, policyholders can add their parents or parents-in-law up to 80 years of age.
• Day-1 Coverage for Pre-Existing Diseases: Full protection for pre-existing diseases starts on Day 1 without an initial 30-day waiting period.
• Lifelong Continuity in Kerala: Insurance coverage remains fully valid and continuous even if the NRK permanently returns to reside in Kerala.
• Cashless Treatment Network: Insured members can access cashless hospitalisation across 24,000+ empanelled network hospitals nationwide in India.

NORKA Care Plus v/s Private Health Insurance

While the NORKA Care Plus program provides financial safety to NRKs during medical and accidental emergencies, it has certain drawbacks when compared to a private health insurance policy. Let us see how NORKA Care Plus differs from comprehensive health insurance.

What is Covered Under NORKA Care Plus?

• Inpatient Hospitalisation: It covers hospitalisation charges, including room rent, ICU, and ambulance fees.
• Pre & Post-Hospitalisation: Medical expenses up to 30 days before admission and up to 30 days post-discharge (up to ₹5,000 per claim)
• Ayurvedic Treatment: It pays for in-patient hospitalisation expenses incurred on Ayurvedic treatment on a doctor's advice.
• Major Medical Treatments: It covers major treatments like cataract, cancer & dialysis treatment, and organ transplant.
• Newborn Cover: Covered from Day 1, provided the baby has a separate hospital admission from the mother's delivery.
• Accidental Death & Disability: 100% sum insured payout for accidental death or permanent total disability, plus body repatriation benefits (₹25,000 within India / ₹50,000 internationally).

What is the Premium for NORKA Care Plus?

The NORKA Care Plus health insurance plan cost is as follows:

• For an Individual Policy: ₹8,101
• For a Family Floater Policy: ₹13,411
• Additional Child (Below 25 years): ₹4,130

Eligibility of NORKA Care Plus

If you are wondering, is NORKA Care Plus only for Keralites? You are right. It is an exclusive, one-of-a-kind health insurance policy available only for Keralites who do not reside in the state.

Eligible individuals between the ages of 18 and 70 can sign up for NORKA Care Plus. For a family floater health insurance plan, 2 children up to 25 years can be added. Here is who can apply for the NORKA Care Plus Pravasi health insurance:

• NRKs residing abroad
• Kerala students studying abroad
• NRKs living in other Indian states

How to Register for NORKA Care Plus?

Here are the two ways to register for NORKA Care Plus:

• Individual Registration: Visit the official NORKA website or download their mobile application for NORKA Care Plus registration online.
• Group Registration: It can be done through NORKA-approved Pravasi organisations.

Documents Required for NORKA Care Plus Registration

Now, let us look at what documents are required for NORKA Care Plus health plan registration.

• NRKs Residing Abroad: They must hold a valid NORKA Pravasi ID Card, visa and passport. They must be residing in a foreign country for at least 6 months.
• Kerala Students Abroad: They must have a valid NORKA Student ID Card.
• NRKs in Other Indian States: They must have a valid NRK ID Card.

NORKA Care Plus Helpline and Support

Other Government Schemes

• Cancer Suraksha Yojana: A government scheme in Kerala which provides free cancer treatment to qualified children under 18 years from poor families.
• Aawaz Health Insurance: Health insurance scheme of Kerala for migrant labourers from other states between ages 18–60 with coverage of health insurance of ₹25,000 plus accident and disability cover.
• Ayushman Bharat (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)): Flagship government health insurance scheme of India, which covers ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.