SRINAGAR: Hospitals and dialysis centres enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat–Sehat Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir have raised concerns over delayed reimbursements, stating that nearly 60 per cent of their pending claims remain unpaid. They said the prolonged delays are placing the healthcare system under increasing financial strain.
The Jammu Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association said outstanding dues, running into several hundred crores, have significantly affected hospital operations. It warned that continued payment delays could begin to hamper essential medical services across the Union Territory.
The association further said that a large number of facilities have been awaiting payments for months, with some claims reportedly pending since 2021. It noted that dialysis centres are particularly affected, with many struggling to maintain services due to rising costs and liquidity constraints.
Calling for a structural change, the association urged the administration to replace the current Trust-based implementation of the scheme in Jammu and Kashmir with an Insurance-based model, arguing that the existing mechanism has not ensured timely claim settlements.
It also highlighted that delayed reimbursements have disrupted the procurement of essential medical supplies, including consumables and implants, thereby impacting routine patient care and treatment continuity.
The association has sought immediate intervention from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, urging swift release of pending dues to prevent disruption in critical services such as dialysis, cardiac care, and oncology treatment.
Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat is the Government of India’s flagship initiative aimed at achieving universal health coverage. It operates through Health and Wellness Centres for primary care and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), which provides cashless hospitalisation coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care. The programme is among the world’s largest publicly funded health insurance schemes, covering over 50 crore economically vulnerable citizens and recently expanding benefits to all individuals aged 70 years and above.
