Reviewed 16 October 2026. ESIC may arrange treatment through its own hospitals and through hospitals empanelled for specified services. The approved hospital, specialty, beneficiary group, referral requirement and agreement period can vary. A hospital name in an old directory does not prove that it is currently available for your treatment.
Check current empanelment before booking
- Check the latest Kerala-region hospital list or notice on the ESIC Regional Office, Kerala site or ask your ESIC dispensary or branch office.
- Confirm that the exact hospital and specialty are listed for the service you need, and check the agreement’s validity date.
- Ask whether your assigned dispensary or ESIC hospital must issue a referral or obtain prior authorization.
- Confirm your Insurance Number, eligibility and the documents needed with ESIC before admission or a scheduled procedure.
- For emergency care, seek immediate medical help and contact ESIC as soon as practical to check the applicable reporting and claim process.
How the panel works
Empanelment is not a blanket promise that every treatment at a listed hospital is covered. ESIC’s arrangement can be limited to named specialties, procedures, beneficiaries, referral routes and validity dates. Ask ESIC which facility and authorization apply to your case. Do not rely on a search result, third-party directory or old PDF without checking its date and conditions.
When treatment is approved through an empanelled provider, follow the authorization and billing instructions issued by ESIC. If you pay out of pocket or attend a facility without the required referral, reimbursement is not automatic; the applicable rules and facts determine whether a claim can be made.
Keep a record
Save the current hospital-list notice, referral or authorization, treatment papers and ESIC communications. If the hospital refuses service or the facility information appears inconsistent, contact the issuing ESIC dispensary or regional office and retain the ticket or written response.
Official sources
- ESIC Regional Office, Kerala.
- ESIC official site and medical-benefit information.
- India Code: Code on Social Security, 2020, Chapter IV, which replaced the ESI Act, 1948 when the Code commenced on 21 November 2025.
See our ESIC dispensary guide for how to find your assigned facility. For employer support, visit ESIC services or contact GHR Consultancy.