New Delhi: The Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Hospital Board have urged Star Health and Allied Insurance to immediately reinstate cashless services after their suspension left thousands of patients struggling at major hospitals.
AHPI said many of its member hospitals, including Manipal Hospital in Delhi and Gurugram, Max Hospitals in North India, Metro Hospital in Faridabad, Medanta Hospital in Lucknow, and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital in Delhi, have been hit by the abrupt suspension. It also alleged that Star Health has delayed or stopped empanelment of several other hospitals such as Fortis Manesar, Max Dwarka, and Medanta Noida, limiting patient access to cashless facilities.
Calling the situation unfair, AHPI and IMA warned that patients are being forced into reimbursement claims despite paying premiums for cashless treatment. In a joint statement, AHPI Director General Dr Girdhar Gyani and IMA Hospital Board Chairman Dr Abul Hasan said the suspension “imposes financial and emotional stress on families and undermines trust in health insurance.”
On September 12, AHPI had issued a notice to Star Health warning of suspension of cashless services by its member hospitals by September 22 if the issues were not resolved. In response, Star Health rejected the allegations and accused AHPI of issuing “arbitrary threats.” The General Insurance Council has also backed Star Health, urging AHPI to withdraw its warning.
AHPI, however, defended its move, calling it a necessary step against the insurer’s “unilateral and arbitrary” actions of de-empanelling hospitals and withdrawing services.
