Thiruvananthapuram, 23 Dec (H.S.):The Kerala government has revised the premium for the Medical Insurance Scheme for State Employees and Pensioners (MEDISEP), increasing the monthly contribution from ₹500 to ₹810.

An order issued by the Finance Department confirms a hike of ₹310 per month, citing changes linked to the rollout of the second phase of the scheme.

With the revision, beneficiaries will be required to pay an annual premium of ₹8,237, excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The revised rate will take effect from January 1, 2026, and the amount will be deducted directly from the salaries of serving employees and the pensions of retirees.

The move has drawn opposition from service organisations, which have announced plans to mount a legal challenge against the premium hike. They contend that the increased contribution imposes an additional financial burden on employees and pensioners.

Explaining the decision, the Finance Department said the premium revision is aligned with the launch of the second phase of MEDISEP and follows efforts to address shortcomings in the existing scheme. The government maintains that the increase is essential to ensure better coverage and more efficient implementation going forward.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman