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India Today
3 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Manipur private hospitals to stop PMJAY services from August 16 over unpaid dues
Private hospitals in Manipur will stop providing free treatment under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) from August 16 unless the state government clears long-pending reimbursement claims. The Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI), Manipur Chapter announced the decision after a meeting on July 30, citing mounting financial and operational strain caused by delays in a joint statement, AHPI Manipur president Dr Palin Khundongbam and secretary Dr James Elangbam said that while private healthcare institutions have been supporting the state's health infrastructure despite repeated financial setbacks, continuing services without timely reimbursement has become 'increasingly unfeasible.' advertisementDuring the suspension, treatments will be charged at standard rates, the association said, adding that any payments collected from eligible PMJAY beneficiaries will be refunded once dues are settled. The body expressed regret over the move, appealing for public understanding and urging the authorities to resolve the issue at the earliest. The announcement has sparked alarm among patients dependent on PMJAY for life-saving procedures such as dialysis. On Friday, dozens of patients and family members gathered at the Manipur Press Club, Imphal, to highlight their plight and demand urgent government intervention.A diabetic patient from Ukhrul district, undergoing twice-weekly dialysis in Imphal for over a decade, said the suspension would be devastating. 'It will be hard for us. We request the government to take necessary steps,' he from Thoubal district, whose father has required dialysis since 2019, said daily wage-earning families cannot bear the cost, which averages Rs 4,000 per session. She noted that government hospital slots are limited, often with year-long waiting times. 'A patient may die if dialysis is not done for a week,' she Manglembi, wife of a dialysis patient at Shija Hospital, said private hospitals have already informed patients that free dialysis under PMJAY will end if the dues remain unpaid. She appealed to the Governor of Manipur and senior health officials to release the pending funds immediately, warning that the halt could 'put countless lives at risk.'Manipur currently has 25 hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY, including 17 public and eight private facilities. The scheme is implemented in the state by the State Health Agency, Manipur. - EndsMust Watch
Mint
11-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
Transforming NMC: Healthcare providers approach PMO
The Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI) has called for a radical transformation of the National Medical Commission (NMC), which regulates medical education and professionals in the country. Despite its founding promise of transparent and outcome-oriented reform in medical education and healthcare delivery, NMC has largely failed to deliver sustained systemic change, the AHPI wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10 July. AHPI represents hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres and medical equipment companies. Its appeal comes against the backdrop of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently finding alleged instances of corruption involving health ministry officials, intermediaries, NMC assessors, and medical college representatives. According to AHPI, the revelations underscore the persistent influence of 'Inspector Raj' methods and necessitate urgent reform. The prevailing public perception, particularly among healthcare professionals, is that the NMC offers little difference from the erstwhile Medical Council of India which it replaced, it said. In the letter, Dr. Girdhar Gyani, director general, AHPI proposed transforming NMC from being primarily a procedural regulator into a forward-looking, autonomous institution focused on innovation, performance assessment, and continuous improvement in medical education. He suggested implementing NEXT as a nationwide screening mechanism. 'The National Exit Test (NEXT), if executed effectively, is envisioned as a transparent and objective benchmark to evaluate disciplinary outcomes and institutional performance. Colleges that consistently underperform on NEXT should be subjected to targeted remedial action,' Gyani wrote. Dr. Alexandar Thomas, patron, AHPI called for the adoption of digital tools, remote monitoring, and real-time data dashboards to reduce human discretion, prevent collusion, and detect malpractices early. The NMC should guide curriculum design, faculty training, and accreditation accordingly, it said. The AHPI said that with decisive leadership, building upon the administrative track record and policy direction provided in the Health Policy of 2017, the NMC can be transformed into a high-impact institution championing transparency, rigour, and integrity in medical education, especially given the drive to open more medical colleges. The association has offered to present detailed recommendations and to support the Prime Minister's office and the Ministry of Health in implementing these meaningful reforms. Earlier, Mint reported that NMC has an acute manpower shortage, with only two members working against the requirements of 18 more members to look after the functioning of medical colleges and make reforms in medical education.
New Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Private hospitals seek 1 per cent interest on delayed Ayushman scheme reimbursements
NEW DELHI: Over two months after its formal launch, the Ayushman Bharat scheme is struggling to gain traction among the city's private hospitals. Major healthcare institutions such as Fortis, Gangaram, Max, Apollo, and BLK continue to stay away from the scheme, citing unresolved legacy issues, including low reimbursement rates and persistent delays in payments. Since its rollout on April 10, only 26 new healthcare facilities have joined the scheme. Officials have confirmed that, of the total 93 empanelled hospitals, 67 were already conducting procedures prior to the formal launch. With more than 1,200 private hospitals operating in the capital, the numbers reflect a lack of enthusiasm that healthcare experts attribute to both structural and financial shortcomings. In a letter to the Delhi government, the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) has demanded amendments to the scheme's terms. The body, representing a large section of private hospitals, has urged the government to include a clause for 1 percent interest on bills that remain unpaid beyond 30 days. According to them, the demand is aimed at ensuring accountability among officials responsible for processing reimbursements. 'If the government assures payments within a month, mid-size hospitals can consider joining. But for larger hospitals, the current rates are simply not viable. If payments are delayed, a 1 percent interest must be added to compel timely disbursement and maintain pressure on officials,' said Dr Girdhar J Gyani, Director General of AHPI. Doctors also pointed out that the scheme's reimbursement rates are just 30 to 40 per cent of prevailing market costs and are even lower than the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rates, which have not been revised since 2014. Many hospitals have also flagged pending dues under the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) scheme introduced by the previous AAP government. 'My payment of `60 lakh is still stuck under DAK,' said Dr Narin Sehgal, owner of Sehgal Neo Hospital. He said the compensation offered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme barely covers operating costs. 'The government must act promptly to release outstanding dues if it expects the participation of private hospitals. Past experiences in other states show how delayed payments have hampered implementation, and Delhi seems no different,' added Sehgal, who also serves as Secretary of the AHPI's Delhi Chapter.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PMJAY dues will be cleared soon: Min
Ranchi: Health minister Irfan Ansari on Tuesday assured private hospitals of the state that they would get their outstanding dues for treating patients under the Centre's under Ayushman yojana. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He, however, warned that the govt will continue to crackdown against the establishments if they are found resorting to malpractices under this scheme. Speaking at a conclave organised by Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) at a city hotel to address issues related to pending payments of government dues under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), he said that govt will soon release legitimate pending payments. The state chapter of AHPI had recently threatened to stop treating the beneficiaries of the scheme citing scores of pending dues from the govt since February this year. Ansari said that the govt is sensitive towards every section of the society and their concerns, including the poor. "Approximately, Rs 192 crore in payments have been pending since February 11 this year, which will be resolved soon. Over the past seven years, a total of Rs 2,284 crore has been paid out. Payments of Rs 485 crore for 7.3 lakh govt hospital patients and over Rs 2,000 crore for 14 lakh private hospital patients have been made till date," the minister said. Ansari said the delays were due to ongoing probe against 212 hospitals identified by the National Anti-Fraud Unit. Technical glitches in the new portal system have also caused delays in payments to another 350 hospitals, Ansari said, adding that it is being resolved.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Why pvt hosps are hesitant in joining cashless health scheme
New Delhi: More than 50 private and 15 Delhi govt hospitals have enrolled under the State Health Authority (SHA) to provide cashless treatment to patients under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). However, many private facilities are reluctant to join the scheme over concerns of low rates being offered by govt. Most private healthcare facilities previously registered with AB-PMJAY through the National Health Authority (NHA) during the previous AAP regime were automatically transferred to city authority oversight. However, several prominent private hospitals raised issues regarding AB-PMJAY reimbursement rates, stating these do not adequately cover treatment expenses and could lead to financial deficits. While smaller healthcare facilities might find the scheme workable, larger hospitals consider it financially unviable due to substantial operational expenses, including infrastructure and advanced medical equipment. Clarifying why corporate and larger hospitals are reluctant to participate, Dr Sunil K Khetarpal, director, Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), cited inadequate package rates for advanced medical procedures. He also highlighted concerns about delayed payments reported in some states implementing this scheme. AHPI, representing about 15,000 private hospitals, including Fortis, Max Healthcare, Manipal, Medanta, Narayana and Apollo, has sought discussions with Delhi govt to address these concerns. Girdhar J Gyani, AHPI's director general, has written to chief minister Rekha Gupta, stressing the necessity of establishing a dedicated grievance redressal system and accelerating reimbursements process under Delhi's recent inclusion in AB-PMJAY. Dr Narin Sehgal, medical director, Sehgal Neo Hospital, and AHPI secretary, Delhi, acknowledged the scheme's significance as the largest health insurance programme. He noted widespread hesitation in enrolment and suggested reconsideration of rates by govt and timely payments, citing issues with similar schemes, like CGHS. Despite AHPI's intervention and NHA's promises to revise the rates, the adjustments remained selective and insufficient, said Dr Sehgal. On April 5, Delhi govt entered an agreement with the Centre to implement AB-PMJAY, with card distribution beginning April 10. Very few private hospitals joined afterwards. CM Gupta said Delhi govt will cover 2,35,000 families in the first phase. Currently, 67 out of over 1,000 Delhi hospitals are participating in the scheme. Govt facilities include Lok Nayak, Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital and Delhi State Cancer Institute while private participants include Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Metro Hospital & Cancer Institute and Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute. Most of the empanelled private hospitals are in New Delhi district and are dedicated to eye care, general surgery, oncology, obstetrics and gynaecology. The scheme offers free treatment covering 1,961 medical procedures across 27 specialities, including medicines, diagnostics, hospitalisation, ICU care and surgeries.
