Srinagar, May 25: Jammu and Kashmir’s State Health Agency (SHA) has issued show-cause notices to 11 government hospitals for non-acceptance of Ayushman Cards under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and SEHAT.
Officials said this is the first time such action has been initiated under PMJAY, the world’s largest health scheme, which aims to provide a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year.
The State Health Agency, J&K, stated that it has received a tele-calling findings reports from Paramount Health Services & Insurance TPA Pvt. Ltd., conducted last month.
“The report highlighted instances of out-of-pocket expenditure incurred by aggrieved beneficiaries admitted in these hospitals under AB PM-JAY/AB PM-JAY SEHAT Scheme,” the SHA said.
The hospitals served with notices include SKIMS Soura, Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar, SMHS Hospital Srinagar, JLNM Hospital Srinagar, SMGS Hospital Jammu, Government Medical College Jammu, GMC Udhampur, GMC Rajouri, Government Children’s Hospital Bemina, Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, and SKIMS Medical College Bemina.
The SHA said the hospitals denied patients access to cashless medical care benefits. Such denial of treatment or imposition of out-of-pocket expenditure is a violation of the scheme guidelines and warrants appropriate action under the applicable rules.
The government hospitals that have been served with the notices have been directed to submit a written response within seven days of receipt of this notice.
“Failure to provide any response to the show-cause notice or satisfactory explanation will result in further action, including but not limited to: imposition of penalties, suspension of your hospital from AB PM-JAY/AB PM-JAY SEHAT Scheme, or other legal actions as deemed necessary,” the notice said.
The State Health Agency has directed these hospitals to submit their written explanations within seven days. Failure to comply may result in penalties, suspension from the AB PM-JAY/AB PM-JAY SEHAT Scheme or legal action.
Officials stressed that such violations undermine the scheme’s core purpose, which is to provide accessible, cashless healthcare to all sections of society.
In January this year, the SHA tightened its grip on hospitals and had then suspended the empanelment of four private facilities and imposed penalties for violating AB-PMJAY/SEHAT guidelines, while the fifth one was fined for denying free treatment.
