Chandigarh: The Haryana government has assured the Indian Medical Association (IMA) that it will clear the pending dues to private hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. This comes after concerns were raised regarding delayed reimbursements, which had led to a threat of withdrawal of services by private hospitals.
Key Assurances Given by Haryana Government:
- Timely Payments: The government announced that all claims submitted under the scheme up until March 10, 2025, will be settled by March 31, 2025.
- Rs 2,500 Crore Budget: A budget of Rs 2,500 crore will be allocated for settling claims and ensuring the timely payment of claims under the scheme in the next fiscal year.
Meeting Between IMA and Haryana Government
On Monday, a meeting was held between Rajesh Khullar, the Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, and representatives of the Haryana IMA. During the meeting, the government assured that it would address the demands of the IMA, including clearing the pending dues to the private hospitals.
IMA’s Gratitude
The representatives of the Haryana IMA expressed their appreciation for the prompt action taken by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to address their concerns.
Payments and Claim Processing
- Claim Payments: Rs 195 crore has already been paid for the claims received from January 1 until now.
- February Payments: The remaining pending claims will be processed and paid by February 2025.
- Claims by March 10: All claims received by March 10, 2025, will be settled by March 31, 2025.
Special Team for Claim Processing
It was decided that claims related to medicine and pediatrics will be processed by a special team of specialized doctors. In addition, Artificial Intelligence will be used to detect suspicious cases, and information regarding such cases will be shared with the hospitals promptly.
Transparency in Claim Reductions
If any reduction in claim amounts is found, hospitals will be provided with detailed reasons for the reductions. Doctors will also undergo retraining to ensure that claims are inspected correctly, which will help prevent unnecessary deductions and speed up the payment process.
Options for Patients
In cases where patients are unwilling to receive treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, they will be given the option to opt for self-paid treatment.
Background
Earlier, the Haryana IMA announced that around 600 private hospitals across the state would stop providing services under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme from February 3, 2025, due to Rs 400 crore in unpaid dues. The government’s prompt response and the assurance of clearing pending dues have alleviated the situation, and services will likely continue uninterrupted.
