Govt approaches Centre over Ayushman dues
The Punjab Government has approached the Union Health Ministry over the issue of delayed payments to private hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
The Private Hospital and Nursing Home Association (PHANA) in Punjab and the state chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had announced the suspension of treatment under the scheme in the state’s empanelled private hospitals, claiming dues worth Rs 600 crore for the past six months.
Health Ministry officials said the Punjab Government would submit updated audit reports. “We have been provided with the audit reports till 2020-21. They have agreed to submit updated audit reports as well. Under the AB-PMJAY scheme, the Centre and the state share the cost in 60:40 ratio,” officials added.
In 2019, Punjab integrated its state health insurance scheme with the AB-PMJAY. The scheme was christened as Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana (AB-PMJAY MMSBY). The Ayushman Bharat scheme offers cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year in 772 government and private empanelled hospitals in Punjab.
According to the MoU signed between the state government and hospitals, payment for each hospital admission under the AB-PMJAY must be completed within 15 days of a patient’s discharge.
Sources said Odisha, which along with Delhi and West Bengal, had not implemented the AB-PMJAY, was all set to join the flagship scheme to provide health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. Till September 1, 29,648 hospitals, including 12,696 private ones, have been empanelled under the PMJAY.
