The Department
Employees’
State Insurance Scheme of India is the country’s first
integrated multi-dimensional social security scheme for
workers in the organized sector. Medical care under this
scheme is implemented in the State of Kerala through the
Insurance Medical Services.
ESI scheme started functioning in Kerala State on 16-09-1956
in seven centres. In due course of time the scheme was implemented
in all major centres in the State.
For the effective implementation of the scheme a separate
department was formed on 1-04-1985 namely Insurance Medical
Services under the administrative control of Labour department,
Government of Kerala, prior to which the scheme was implemented
through State Health Services department. The Insurance
Medical Services department provides total medical care
to the insured persons and their dependents through a vast
and widespread network of ESI dispensaries and hospitals
within the vicinity of their residential areas, in addition
to providing inpatient care. It provides protection to the
beneficiaries in contingencies such as sickness, maternity
or death and disablement due to employment injury or occupational
disease.
It is the most affordable social security system with lowest
contribution rate for multiple health insurance benefits.
It takes care of insured persons and their dependents from
day one of entering employment. It is the only health insurance
scheme that offers full medical care to workers and their
family members without any ceiling on individual expenditure.
ESI scheme in the state fully finances those cases requiring
advanced or super-speciality treatment which is not available
in the ESI hospitals.
