This article explains public information. It does not determine eligibility or replace an official notice.
What is KPK Sehat Card Plus and How Much Treatment is Free?
To check your KPK Sehat Card Plus eligibility and available balance online, send your 13-digit CNIC number without dashes via SMS to 8500 or enter it on the official portal at sehatcardplus.gov.pk. Every permanent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resident automatically qualifies for Rs. 1,000,000 (10 Lakh) free annual inpatient healthcare coverage per family at over 1,000 empaneled hospitals across Pakistan using their original CNIC.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sehat Card Plus (Sehat Sahulat Program) is the provincial government's flagship universal health insurance initiative, executed in collaboration with the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan. Unlike targeted welfare subsidies requiring complex means-testing, Sehat Card Plus provides universal healthcare entitlement to 100% of families holding permanent residence registered on their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the merged tribal districts.
The program replaces expensive out-of-pocket medical expenditures with an automated, cashless healthcare safety net. Beneficiaries do not need a physical plastic insurance card to access medical services; an active original NADRA CNIC or juvenile B-Form acts as your direct digital health wallet across all designated public and private healthcare facilities.
Universal Coverage Model: Rs. 1,000,000 Annual Family Health Limit
Under the 2026 Sehat Card Plus framework, every registered family unit receives an annual health coverage pool of Rs. 1,000,000 (10 Lakh PKR). This financial allocation resets automatically at the start of each fiscal cycle, ensuring that severe illness does not push vulnerable households into catastrophic medical debt.
The family health pool operates on a shared basis for all legal members recorded in NADRA's family registration database. If one family member undergoes a surgical procedure costing Rs. 250,000, the remaining Rs. 750,000 balance remains accessible for any other registered dependent within that same calendar year.
Secondary Care vs. Priority Tertiary Healthcare Packages
The Sehat Card Plus coverage framework divides inpatient healthcare into two primary medical tiers:
1. Secondary Healthcare Packages (Baseline Surgical & Medical Care): Covers general surgical operations, maternal and child healthcare, normal vaginal deliveries, Cesarean sections (C-sections), appendectomies, gallbladder surgeries, hernia repairs, fractures, and emergency pediatric hospitalizations (allocating up to Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 300,000).
2. Priority Tertiary Healthcare Packages (Specialized & Chronic Care): Covers complex life-saving procedures including open-heart bypass surgery, coronary angioplasty and stenting, oncology treatments (chemotherapy and radiation), end-stage renal disease dialysis, kidney transplantation, advanced neurosurgery, and multi-trauma care, utilizing the full Rs. 1,000,000 ceiling.
How to Check KPK Sehat Card Eligibility Online & via 8500 SMS
Verifying whether your household is active in the Sehat Card Plus database takes less than two minutes through two official verification gateways:
- Method 1 (Instant 8500 SMS): Open your mobile SMS app, type your 13-digit CNIC number without dashes or spaces (e.g. 1730112345671), and send it to 8500. You will receive an instant reply detailing your family eligibility and panel hospital access.
- Method 2 (Online Web Portal): Visit sehatcardplus.gov.pk, click on 'Check Eligibility' (اہلیت چیک کریں), enter your 13-digit CNIC, solve the captcha, and click 'Check Status' to view family details and coverage status.
- Carrier Charges: Standard mobile network charges (approx Rs. 2 + tax) apply on SMS sent to 8500. Ensure your mobile balance is active.
Which Medical Treatments, Surgeries & Diseases Are Covered?
Sehat Card Plus is strictly an inpatient hospital admission and surgical coverage program. Knowing what is included versus excluded prevents billing misunderstandings:
- Fully Covered Inpatient Care: Cardiology (angiography, angioplasty, bypass), Oncology (chemotherapy, radiation, tumor surgeries), Nephrology (hemodialysis, kidney stones, kidney transplant), General Surgery (hernia, gallbladder, appendix), and Maternity (normal delivery, C-section).
- What is Excluded (OPD Restrictions): Routine Outpatient Department (OPD) clinic consultations, daily pharmacy medicines purchased from external medical stores, cosmetic surgery, and walk-in diagnostic blood tests not tied to a hospital bed admission are NOT covered.
KPK Sehat Card Empaneled Panel Hospitals List (District-Wise Matrix)
State Life Insurance Corporation maintains an empaneled network of over 1,000 public and private medical institutions across KP and inter-provincial hubs:
| District / Division | Major Empaneled Public Hospitals | Top Empaneled Private Panel Hospitals | Specialty Care Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peshawar | Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH), Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), PIC | Northwest General Hospital, Rehman Medical Institute (RMI), Peshawar General Hospital | Advanced Cardiac Surgery, Oncology, Renal Transplants, Neurosurgery |
| Abbottabad / Hazara | Ayub Teaching Hospital (ATH), DHQ Hospital Abbottabad | Women Medical Complex, Jinnah International Hospital, Pine Hills Hospital | Trauma & Orthopedics, General Surgery, Gynecology, ICU |
| Mardan | Mardan Medical Complex (MMC), DHQ Hospital Mardan | Rustam Hospital, Shahbaz Medical Complex, Mardan General Hospital | Maternal Health, Dialysis, General Laparoscopic Surgery |
| Swat / Malakand | Saidu Teaching Hospital (STH), Saidu Group of Hospitals | Swat Medical Complex, Shifa Hospital Saidu Sharif | Cardiology, Emergency Trauma, Neonatal ICU, Orthopedics |
| Bannu & D.I. Khan | Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital Bannu, Mufti Mehmood Memorial Hospital D.I. Khan | Al-Shifa Hospital Bannu, Gomal Medical Complex D.I. Khan | Dialysis, Pediatric Surgery, Maternal Healthcare |
| Kohat & Karak | Liaquat Memorial Teaching Hospital (LMTH) Kohat, KDA Teaching Hospital Kohat | Kohat General Hospital, Al-Razi Medical Complex | General Surgery, C-Section, Emergency Trauma |
| Merged Districts (NMDs) | DHQ Landi Kotal (Khyber), DHQ Ghalanai (Mohmand), DHQ Khar (Bajaur) | Local Empaneled Units & Direct Referral to Peshawar MTIs | Secondary Surgeries, Emergency Resuscitation, Maternity |
| Federal / Inter-Provincial | PIMS Islamabad, Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC), Holy Family Hospital | Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital, Shifa International (Specialized Packages) | Specialized Inter-Provincial Tertiary Referrals |
How to Get Admitted and Claim Cashless Treatment at Panel Hospitals
To access cashless treatment, follow the simple hospital counter procedure upon arrival:
- 1. Locate the Desk: Visit the dedicated State Life / Sehat Card Facilitation Desk in the hospital reception or emergency area.
- 2. Present Documents: Provide the patient's original CNIC (or original B-Form + father's CNIC for minors under 18).
- 3. Biometric Verification: The desk officer scans your CNIC through the State Life system to verify eligibility and allocate pre-authorization.
- 4. Receive Cashless Care: Hospital completes all surgery, diagnostics, bed stay, and nursing care without asking for cash.
- 5. Collect Take-Home Medicine: Receive up to 7 days of free prescribed discharge medications upon signing the satisfaction slip.
Troubleshooting Common Issues & Official Helplines
If your CNIC shows 'Ineligible' despite living in KP, check your permanent address at NADRA; Sehat Card eligibility strictly requires permanent residence registered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
If any empaneled hospital asks for cash bribes or forces outside medicine purchases during admission, immediately contact the official KPK Sehat Card Plus toll-free helpline at 0800-89898 or State Life at 0800-01001 for immediate investigation.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check my KPK Sehat Card eligibility by CNIC?
You can check your KPK Sehat Card eligibility instantly by sending your 13-digit CNIC number without spaces or dashes via SMS to 8500, or by entering your CNIC on the official portal at sehatcardplus.gov.pk. The system will reply with your family eligibility status and district details within seconds.
What is the annual treatment limit on KPK Sehat Card Plus?
The annual treatment limit under KPK Sehat Card Plus is Rs. 1,000,000 (10 Lakh PKR) per registered family unit. This coverage resets automatically every financial year and covers inpatient hospital admissions, major surgeries, and tertiary healthcare.
Can I get free medicines from a medical store using Sehat Card?
No, Sehat Card Plus does not cover routine outdoor pharmacy purchases from standalone medical stores. Free medicines are provided exclusively during an authorized inpatient hospital admission, along with up to 7 days of take-home recovery medication supplied at hospital discharge.
Which SMS code is used to check Sehat Card status in KPK?
The official SMS code to check Sehat Card status in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is 8500. Sending your CNIC to any other unauthorized four-digit number will not yield official insurance status records.
Are normal child deliveries and C-sections covered under Sehat Card?
Yes, both normal deliveries and Cesarean sections (C-sections) are fully covered under the maternal healthcare package of Sehat Card Plus at all empaneled public and private maternity hospitals. The package includes delivery charges, operation theater costs, surgeon fees, and post-natal care.
Do I need a physical plastic Sehat Card to get hospital treatment?
No, a physical plastic card is no longer required to receive healthcare benefits under Sehat Card Plus. Your original Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) or a child's NADRA B-Form acts as your direct digital health card at all empaneled hospital facilitation desks.
Can KP residents get free treatment in Islamabad or Rawalpindi hospitals?
Yes, KP residents holding eligible CNICs can access free treatment for specialized tertiary procedures at designated empaneled hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, including PIMS, Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC), and empaneled private tertiary care centers.
Is cancer chemotherapy and kidney dialysis covered under Sehat Card Plus?
Yes, both cancer chemotherapy cycles and chronic kidney failure hemodialysis are fully covered under the priority tertiary care packages of Sehat Card Plus. Patients receive ongoing sessions at designated panel oncology and nephrology centers without paying out-of-pocket fees.
What should I do if a child under 18 needs hospital admission?
If a child under 18 requires hospital admission, bring the child's original NADRA B-Form (Child Registration Certificate) along with the original CNIC of the father or registered guardian to the hospital Sehat Card desk for biometric verification and admission authorization.
How can I lodge a complaint against a panel hospital for refusing Sehat Card?
You can lodge an immediate complaint against any empaneled hospital refusing Sehat Card services or demanding cash by calling the Sehat Card Plus toll-free helpline at 0800-89898, the State Life helpline at 0800-01001, or through the Pakistan Citizens' Portal (PCP).
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Muhammad Salman specializes in Pakistani public sector financing, youth entrepreneurship schemes, and government subsidy programmes, cross-referencing all data against official SBP circulars and ministry directives.
Ayesha reviews programme-eligibility and payment content for accuracy against BISP, NADRA NSER, and provincial notices, and flags any guide that needs an update after an official policy change.



