Srinagar, June 19 (IANS). After the withdrawal of private hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir from the ‘Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Sehat’ scheme, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday gave a package of Rs 175 crore to restart the scheme. Besides, assurance was given to pay the outstanding bills of different hospitals soon.
Let us tell you that Jammu and Kashmir is the only union territory in the country, where every family can avail the benefits of this scheme regardless of the income limit. Private hospitals and dialysis centers for beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat-PM-JAY health scheme in Jammu and Kashmir have temporarily withdrawn their proposed decision to exit the scheme, officials said.
Officials said that this decision was taken after the government approved the release of Rs 175 crore to settle the long pending reimbursement claims.
The Department of Health and Medical Education has sanctioned Rs 175 crore to clear the dues of empaneled private healthcare institutions, officials said.
It is expected that this fund will be released through the State Health Agency (SHA), after which the process of reimbursement will begin. Officials said the transfer and distribution of funds may take a few days.
This step has been taken amid growing uncertainty over the future of the ‘Sehat’ scheme. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centers Association had announced plans to withdraw from the program from July 1, citing huge financial crisis due to delay in settlement of claims.
During talks with senior officials of the State Health Agency, representatives of private healthcare institutions were assured that the sanctioned amount would be released without any delay.
Following this assurance, the association agreed to defer its proposed de-empanelment and continue providing healthcare services under the scheme for the time being.
On behalf of the hospital administration, it was said that immediate payment of the outstanding amount is necessary to continue good quality healthcare services. He stressed that the pending payments, especially the dues of the last three months, should be released at the earliest to ensure smooth functioning of the hospitals and dialysis centers in the Union Territory.
According to the association, the outstanding amount had crossed Rs 250 crore, leading to a warning to withdraw from the scheme.
The government’s decision to release funds is being considered a major step towards maintaining continuity of healthcare services under the ‘Sehat’ initiative. This initiative provides cashless medical treatment to millions of residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Healthcare professionals have welcomed this move and are hopeful that this financial assistance will boost the confidence of the empaneled hospitals, ensure continuity of patient care without any interruption and provide long-term resolution to reimbursement concerns.
–IANS
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