IMA Haryana to suspend Ayushman Bharat services from February 3 over unpaid dues-OxBig News Network

NEW DELHI: The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Haryana, to suspend Ayushman Bharat scheme services across the state from February 3, citing pending government reimbursements amounting to Rs 400 crore.
“We have been again approached by all empanelled hospitals of Haryana to act on their behalf and inform you that if following demands are not met soon, they will be forced to suspend Ayushman services from 3rd February 2025,” a statement released by the association read.
Approximately 1,300 hospitals in Haryana, including 600 private facilities, are empaneled under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Introduced by the Narendra Modi government in 2018, the scheme provides free healthcare coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually and currently benefits around 1.2 crore people in the state.
The scheme, which covers anything between routine tests to surgeries, can be availed by families with annual incomes of less than Rs 2.5 lakh, and the elderly, among other criteria.
Dr Mahavir Jain, president of IMA (Haryana), said reimbursements to private hospitals had been pending for months.”Our payments should be released immediately as it is exceedingly difficult for doctors to operate hospitals without funds. Around Rs 400 crore is pending. These medical bills are already discounted by the hospitals. How will they survive if they do not receive the bare minimum,” Dr Jain said.

The organisation put forth seven demands stating that:

1. All pending dues must be paid immediately.
2. A system must be developed that no deductions should be done once approval has been given by PPD. Give pre-approval after confirming all documents but there should be no deductions once approval has been done.
3. As the Honorable Chief Minister is already supporting this scheme, proper allocation of (nearly 2000 crores rupees per year) should be made for this scheme separately.
4. TMS 2 portal is in great mess and headache for all members. It should be rectified immediately and till then we must be shifted back to TMS 1.
5. Cash Consent Form was recently withdrawn. Honorable CM Haryana had expressed agreement to restore it. It should be restored immediately.
6. Many members have TMS 1 payments pending too. After making a roster, hospital wise settlement of such payments must be done.
7. Interest on delayed payments should be calculated as per MoU and to be paid to all concerned Hospitals.
Association members said the matter was raised with chief minister Nayab Singh Saini at a meeting earlier this month and he had ordered immediate release of funds, but hospitals received a fraction of the pending dues.
“It is very unfortunate that even after 15 days having passed, our members have not received any significant amount and even the amounts received have large unwarranted deductions. This is a matter of concern and has caused great distress to our members,” the statement added.