MP: Private Hospitals to Stop Treating Ayushman Beneficiaries Until Govt Clears Dues

Delhi: Private hospitals in Madhya Pradesh, including the state capital Bhopal, are reportedly planning to deny medical treatment to patients who are beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) due to unpaid dues by the government.

From April 15, treatment of poor people under the Ayushman scheme at Madhya Pradesh private hospitals will be stopped unless the state government clears the dues, Dr Zeeshan Ahmed, President of the United Private Hospitals Directors Association, informed at a press conference. He claimed that payment under the scheme has not been made for the last eight months, taking many hospitals to the verge of closure, the Times of India reported.

Under this government-funded health insurance scheme, eligible patients from economically vulnerable backgrounds can avail of cashless treatment costing up to Rs 5 lakh at empanelled private and public hospitals.

However, several private hospitals in Bhopal are claiming that the state government has not released their pending dues for services provided to Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY beneficiaries. As a result, they have decided to refuse medical treatment to such patients until the state government clears the outstanding payments of the last financial year.

The Ayushman Fund is currently owed around Rs 1,000 crores by the government, which has led to a decline in the financial situation of several hospital operators. In light of this, the organisation has put forward their demands, including the immediate payment of outstanding dues for the last eight months. Further, the organisation sought the appointment of qualified and skilled personnel at the government level to rectify any error; and lastly, they asked for the settlement of treatment expenses under the scheme within a period of 30 to 45 days in the future, The Hitavada reported.

This move by the private hospitals has raised concerns about the accessibility of healthcare for the beneficiaries of the scheme. With the majority of healthcare facilities being private in Madhya Pradesh, the denial of treatment by these hospitals could have serious consequences for the beneficiaries, particularly those with chronic illnesses or requiring specialised care.