Srinagar, Feb 06: The Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centre Association has raised serious concerns regarding the sustainability of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, threatening to discontinue free treatment for patients if urgent reforms are not enacted.

In a letter addressed to the CEO of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme and the SEHAT scheme, the association articulated its grievances, citing untenable contract terms and delayed payments as key factors toward potentially ceasing services.

The association stated that they have reached this conclusion after extensive deliberations, emphasising that the contract with the State Health Agency—set to expire on March 15, 2025—is no longer viable.

“We have come to know from print media that 9th Governing Council Meeting was held on 19th Jan 2025, in which some critical decisions have been taken including the reservation of 4 procedures for public hospitals, 10% reduction in the UT-specific incentives and implementation of HBP 2.2 instead of HBP 2022. We deem that all these decisions are not in our interests, are anti-private Sector and will surely take us to the verge of bankruptcy as we have been suffering for past 10 months,” said a representative of the association.

“Unfortunately in the Governing Council Meeting, nothing was decided regarding the release of our long pending bajaj payments, 1% interest for the delayed payments, review and reimbursement of ingenuine deductions and rejections since 2022. After deliberation and discussions, we have come to the conclusion that the contract with State Health Agency after completion of the three-year term w.e.f. 15-03-2025 is no longer tenable, as it won’t be possible for us to meet the expenses at these diminishing rates that too with delayed payments.”

“We are unable to absorb the escalating costs at these diminishing rates, compounded by delayed payments,” the letter read. They also noted that their concerns have been exacerbated by the lack of revision in treatment packages, despite the Union Government recently boosting the budget for the Ayushman Bharat scheme by 24% to ₹9,406 crores.

The letter expressed alarm over the outcomes of the 9th Governing Council Meeting, held on January 19, 2025, during which critical decisions—including a reservation of four medical procedures for public hospitals and a 10% reduction in UT-specific incentives—were made.

The association alleges these decisions are detrimental to the private healthcare sector, putting several facilities on the brink of bankruptcy after grappling with financial strain for the past ten months. Furthermore, they noted that the Governing Council meeting ignored significant issues such as the release of long-overdue payments and a lack of interest on delayed payments. “We have seen no resolution regarding the review and reimbursement of what we regard as baseless deductions and payment rejections since 2022,” they lamented.

In light of these challenges, the association is calling for immediate intervention from authorities to ensure the viability of private healthcare under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. They are urging the implementation of the HBP 2022, as approved by the National Health Authority of India, with specific rate revisions for dialysis patients. They are also advocating against reservation policies that restrict patients’ rights to seek treatment outside of public hospitals, emphasizing that the Right to Health is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Additionally, the association demands adherence to guidelines from the National Health Authority, particularly concerning the reimbursement of interest on delayed payments. They seek assurance against unwarranted deductions and rejections, along with the immediate release of pending payments, including Bajaj payments, with appropriate interest. The continuation of UT-specific incentives is also a critical point of their appeal.