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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
‘System has collapsed': 650 private hospitals in Haryana to exit Ayushman Scheme; reimbursements stuck, facilities strained
GURGAON: Indian Medical Association's Haryana unit on Tuesday issued a notice announcing that 650 private hospitals across the state will stop treating patients under the Centre's Ayushman Bharat scheme from Aug 7 if reimbursements amounting to Rs 500 crore aren't cleared by then. Officials of IMA (Haryana), which had issued a similar warning in Jan earlier this year, said the state's administration of the scheme was in a state of "chronic breakdown". Most private hospitals have only gotten 10-15% of their billed amounts in reimbursements since March, forcing them to dip into their own reserves or turn patients away, they said. "The situation is worse than before. Hospitals cannot continue offering free treatment under the scheme without timely reimbursements. We're now at a point where running the system is financially impossible," said Dr Mahavir Jain, president of IMA (Haryana). You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon According to Haryana govt data, there are 1,300 hospitals, including 650 private ones and 60 in Gurgaon, empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Around 1.8 crore people in the state are registered under the health insurance scheme, which was launched by the central govt in 2018 to provide free medical facilities and treatments up to Rs 5 lakh a year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Shop Sale Libas Undo Ayushman Bharat, which covers anything between routine tests to surgeries, can be availed by families with annual income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh, the elderly, and others. Hospitals empanelled under the scheme provide free-of-charge treatment to registered patients and later raise reimbursement requests from the govt on an online portal. These reimbursements are reviewed and cleared by a state agency, after which payments are disbursed. "Govt promised us that dues would be cleared soon after our meeting with the chief minister earlier this year. But the delays have continued, and many hospitals are now getting reimbursement amounts with arbitrary deductions and without any explanations," said Dr Dhirendar K Soni, secretary of IMA-Haryana. After the Jan ultimatum, govt released the reimbursements and services weren't disrupted. Joint CEO for Ayushman Bharat scheme in Haryana, Ankita Adhikari, didn't respond to repeated requests for comment till Tuesday evening. In Gurgaon, 60 private hospitals are part of the scheme, among them Park Hospital, Centre for Sight (Gurgaon), Pushpanjali hospital, Muskaan Dentals Kamla Hospital, and others. "We will stop new admissions under Ayushman Bharat from Aug 7. Emergency services will continue, but planned procedures will be on hold," said a doctor from a private hospital in the city. Beneficiaries of the scheme said suspension of services by hospitals will affect them the most. Kamlesh Singh, a 41-year-old driver in the city, told TOI he needs an ear surgery to treat the damage caused by an infection. "This scheme saved my life during Covid-19 pandemic, but now I am not sure if I'll get treatment when I need it," he said.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Over Rs 500 crore dues in Haryana: IMA warns suspension of Ayushman Bharat treatment
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), representing nearly 600 private hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in Haryana, has warned suspension of treatment under the scheme from August 7 if dues amounting to Rs 500 crore are not cleared. In a letter addressed to Ayushman Bharat Haryana CEO Sangeeta Tetarwal, the IMA said, 'It will not be possible for these hospitals to continue with Ayushman services from August 7 unless all payments (pending as on July 15) are cleared by that time. The responsibility of any inconvenience caused to the poor people of Haryana will lie completely on the shoulders of the Haryana government which is neither providing adequate budget nor smoothening the process of this scheme.' According to officials, every month, bills worth Rs 80-90 crore from the private hospitals are raised in lieu of treatment under the scheme. The association expressed frustration over repeated delays, citing previous assurances from top officials. 'Time and again we have been apprising officials of regular payments, at times delayed by 4-5 months. In our meeting with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on January 8 this year, we were assured that all payments will be made in 15 days. We again had a high-level meeting with the Chief Principal Secretary to the CM Rajesh Khullar on February 3 and we were assured that things will be streamlined after March 10.' However, the IMA alleged that none of these promises have materialised. 'Payments are still much delayed and irregular, unnecessary deductions are still being made. Processing of cases is also delayed, grievances are difficult to raise on the portal and NABH (national accreditation board for hospitals & healthcare) incentive of many hospitals has been cut under the guise of re-employment on the new portal.' This is not the first time the IMA has raised the alarm. In January, it had threatened to suspend services from February 3 over Rs 400 crore dues. IMA Haryana president Dr Mahaveer P Jain said, 'That time almost all payments were cleared. There is a budgetary provision of only Rs 750 crore for this scheme which is insufficient and it must be increased to over Rs 2,000 crore to ensure timely payments to the private hospitals.' Responding to the concerns, Director General (Health Services) Dr Manish Bansal said, 'We procure payments from the government for these hospitals on a quarterly basis. For dues of private hospitals, we have already sent the demand to the government. As soon as we get it, it would be disbursed to the private hospitals immediately.' A senior officer said that the state government has sanctioned Rs 224 crore for distribution to hospitals against claims. 'The rest will also be cleared soon,' he said. Lok Sabha MP Kumari Selja has also urged the Chief Minister to intervene. 'This scheme is a lifeline for the poor, and its suspension could trigger a health crisis in the state.'
Hans India
2 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Emphasis laid on continuous medical edu for doctors
Nandyal: A one-day regional medical science conference, jointly organised by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Andhra Pradesh and the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council, was successfully held on Sunday at Soujanya Convention Hall in Nandyal on Sunday. The event was inaugurated by Dr Chandrasekhar, Vice-Chancellor of Dr NTR University of Health Sciences, along with Dr D Srihari Rao, Chairman of AP Medical Council. The dignitaries paid floral tributes to Dr B C Roy, the father of Indian medicine, before lighting the ceremonial lamp. Dr. Chandrasekhar emphasised the importance of continuous medical education to keep up with advancements in modern healthcare. Dr Srihari Rao stressed that doctors must renew their medical registration every five years by attending CME programmes and accumulating 30 credit points. He warned of strict action against unqualified practitioners exceeding their permitted roles. Dr G Nanda Kishore, IMA State president, highlighted IMA's commitment to public health through over 100 local branches. Organising Chairman Dr. Ravi Krishna and IMA Nandyal President Dr Madhusudhana Rao stated that such conferences greatly benefit regional doctors by enhancing awareness of medical advancements. Eminent doctors from reputed hospitals like Apollo, Omega Cancer Hospital, and Yashoda Hospital delivered lectures on various health topics, contributing to the academic success of the event.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Experts discuss ECMO advances at meet in Vijayawada
Manipal Hospitals, Vijayawada, in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), hosted a medical education programme focused on advanced practices and innovations in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in Vijayawada on Sunday. Titled 'Mastering ECMO – Insights from Manipal's Leading Experts,' the day-long event saw medical experts and professionals from Hyderabad and Bengaluru participated. The sessions featured case-based discussions and critical care applications such as weaning strategies, patient selection, and bridging to cardiac transplant. Additionally, the programme included a hands-on workshop that focused on ECMO components, cannulation techniques, oxygenator failure, air embolism management, and 4H troubleshooting strategies. The event was supported by the Critical Care and Pulmonology departments of Manipal Hospitals. Sudhakar Kantipudi, Cluster Director of Manipal Hospitals, called for more such initiatives to improve ECMO capabilities and critical care outcomes in the region. Among those present were IMA, Vijayawada, president B. Hanumaiah, IMA secretary V. Suresh Kumar, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, chairman Sunil Karanth and others.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Homeopath challenges state's move to end dual registration for modern medicine practice
MUMBAI: A Pune-based homeopathy practitioner has approached the Bombay High Court, challenging the Maharashtra government's recent decision to discontinue the separate registration of homeopaths authorised to practise modern medicine after completing the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP). Homeopath challenges state's move to end dual registration for modern medicine practice The petitioner, Dr Rashi Vinod Mordia, has alleged that the decision undermines previous legal rulings that upheld the right of CCMP-qualified homeopaths to practise allopathy, particularly in rural and underserved areas. A division bench of justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale has directed the state authorities to respond to the petition and posted the matter for hearing on July 28. In her plea, filed through advocate Sagar Kursija, Dr Mordia has challenged a July 11 circular issued by the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), which instructed officials to stop the separate registration of homeopathic practitioners who had completed the CCMP course. On the same day, the state drug commissionerate also withdrew earlier permissions that allowed the sale of modern medicines based on prescriptions by such practitioners. The CCMP course was introduced following amendments in 2014 to the Maharashtra Homeopathic Medical Practitioners Act and the Maharashtra Medical Council Act, allowing homeopaths who completed a year-long CCMP training to practise modern medicine. On April 24, 2025, the medical education and drugs department had directed the MMC to maintain a separate register for such practitioners. However, just three months later, the same department reversed its stand without offering detailed reasons. Dr Mordia's petition notes that the Pune branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had earlier challenged the 2014 amendments, but the Bombay High Court had declined to stay their implementation. A subsequent special leave petition before the Supreme Court was dismissed in July 2015. In this context, the petition argues that the July 11 decision appears to be a backdoor attempt to bypass the apex court's refusal to interfere with the amended law. It alleges that the IMA again made a representation to the chief minister on July 1, which directly influenced the reversal of the registration policy. Further, the petition emphasises that the 2014 amendments were part of a deliberate policy initiative aimed at addressing the shortage of medical professionals in rural areas and ensuring wider access to healthcare through government health schemes. 'The state's sudden U-turn undermines the very objective of providing affordable and accessible healthcare to the rural population,' the plea states, urging the court to stay the July 11 circular and reinstate the earlier registration policy.
