Srinagar, Jun 12 (KNO): Empanelled private hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir continue to provide services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme despite not receiving funds since March 2024.
According to details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the association of empanelled private hospitals had earlier written to the Chief Secretary of J&K, stating their inability to continue services beyond the end of May 2024.
"The private hospitals and dialysis centres empanelled under the SEHAT scheme have not received any payment since March 15, 2024. We will be unable to continue with the said scheme beyond June 1, 2024," reads the letter, a copy of which is with KNO.
Despite this, the empanelled private hospitals have continued their services while awaiting their payments. Private hospital owners have previously stated that they have exhausted their funds and cannot continue services under the scheme past this month.
Last November, IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance Company, the insurer for Ayushman Bharat in J&K, informed SHA authorities of their decision not to renew the contract after its expiry on March 14, 2025. Initially, the scheme was implemented through Bajaj Allianz GIC, whose contract ended in 2022. IFFCO-TOKIO was subsequently brought in but attempted to exit the scheme citing financial losses. Despite SHA's requests for them to continue in the interest of patient care, the company refused.
The SHA approached the High Court to stay the exit, but the petition was dismissed on February 2, complicating matters further for both SHA and beneficiaries across the union territory. The government has since approached the division bench to stay the single bench order, making the issue sub judice.
Due to non-payment since March 15, empanelled hospitals said they are facing severe financial strain, affecting their ability to provide services under the scheme. Hospital owners have stated that starting June 1, they will not accept golden cards, and patients will need to pay for services.
Despite it being June 12, private hospitals continue to provide services under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, as they do not want poor people to suffer from lack of treatment, hoping that the government will release their payments soon. They have once again urged higher authorities to address the issue and release pending funds promptly.
Officials from SHA assured that the scheme is functioning normally and that the ongoing dispute with the insurance company does not affect its implementation. “Empanelled hospitals are aware that funds allocated for them are documented, though delays are expected due to the dispute,” they said.
Approximately 1,500 patients benefit from this scheme daily in J&K, and services will continue for these patients, according to officials.
Sanjiv M Gadkar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the State Health Agency, Jammu and Kashmir, told KNO that empanelled private hospitals have continued their services despite not receiving payment on time, and expressed gratitude for their commitment. “We are one of the stakeholders in the implementation of the scheme and all possible steps are being taken to resolve the issue on priority,” he said—(KNO)