Jammu/Srinagar: Healthcare services under the Ayushman Bharat Sehat Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir could face a major setback as private hospitals have warned that they may stop treating beneficiaries under the scheme from July 1 if their long-pending payments are not cleared.
Private healthcare institutions across the Union Territory have expressed serious concern over delays in reimbursement of claims, stating that crores of rupees remain unpaid despite hospitals continuing to provide cashless treatment to patients under the government-sponsored health insurance programme.
Hospital representatives say the prolonged delay in payments has placed a heavy financial burden on healthcare institutions, making it increasingly difficult to manage day-to-day operations, pay staff salaries, procure medicines and maintain essential medical services.
According to the hospitals’ association, repeated requests to the concerned authorities for the release of pending dues have yielded little result. The association has now issued a deadline, warning that empanelled private hospitals may be forced to withdraw from the scheme from July 1 if the issue remains unresolved.
The move could impact thousands of patients who depend on the Ayushman Bharat Sehat Scheme for free treatment in private hospitals. Healthcare experts fear that any disruption in services could increase pressure on government hospitals and affect access to specialised treatment for beneficiaries.
The association has urged the administration to intervene immediately and ensure timely clearance of outstanding payments to avoid any disruption in healthcare services. Patients and healthcare providers alike are now awaiting a resolution before the July 1 deadline.
If no agreement is reached in the coming weeks, beneficiaries of the flagship health insurance scheme may face difficulties in availing cashless treatment at private hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir.
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