871 denied treatment under MJPJAY by hospitals
This data is part of a response to an RTI query filed by activist Jitendra Ghadge. "There are around 6,500 hospitals in the state, but only 2,019 (31%) are enrolled in this scheme. Even empanelled hospitals are denying treatment to the poor. This shows serious flaws in implementation of the scheme," said Ghadge.
Officials said the data is misleading if read without context. "From 2019-20 to 2024-25, 58 lakh cases received pre-authorisation for treatment under the scheme.
In comparison, 871 complaints are very few and exceptional," said Aannasaheb Chavan, CEO of MJPJAY. He said many of these cases were resolved immediately after district coordinators intervened.
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Dr Rameshwar Kumbhar, who heads the grievance cell, said, "The scheme covers only specific treatments and ailments. In some cases, patients file complaints against hospitals for not providing procedures that are not covered under the scheme."
With 181 complaints, Sangli saw the highest number of patients who involved local officials. An official there said, "There are many procedures for which the scheme provides insufficient cover. In such cases, hospitals ask patients to pay the rest... agitated patients or relatives complain. In many cases, we make the hospital reimburse the out-of-pocket amount."
—Eshan Kalyanikar
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