Srinagar: In a major relief for beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY SEHAT Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir, private hospitals and dialysis centres have decided not to exit the flagship health insurance programme from July 1 after the Government sanctioned ₹175 crore towards pending payments.
Sources said Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo has approved the release of ₹175 crore to clear outstanding claims of hospitals empanelled under the SEHAT health scheme. The amount, however, is yet to be transferred to the account of the State Health Agency (SHA), which will subsequently begin disbursing payments to private hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir.
The decision comes days after the Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDA) warned that private healthcare institutions may withdraw from the Ayushman Bharat-SEHAT Scheme due to delays in claim settlements and mounting pending dues.
According to sources, senior officials of the State Health Agency held a crucial meeting with representatives of private hospitals and dialysis centres, assuring them that the sanctioned funds would be released shortly. Following the assurance, hospital representatives agreed to continue services under the SEHAT Scheme in J&K, preventing a potential disruption in healthcare services for thousands of patients.
“We will not exit the SEHAT Scheme from July 1 and will continue providing treatment under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY programme if at least three months of pending payments are cleared,” a representative of the Association said.
Private hospitals have repeatedly highlighted that reimbursements under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme have been delayed for months, placing significant financial pressure on healthcare institutions. Hospital operators have argued that while government hospitals receive timely payments, many empanelled private hospitals continue to face payment backlogs.
The release of ₹175 crore is expected to ease the financial burden on private healthcare providers and strengthen the implementation of the SEHAT health scheme in Jammu and Kashmir. The move is also likely to ensure uninterrupted treatment for beneficiaries availing cashless healthcare services under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY SEHAT Scheme.
Sources said hospitals are now awaiting the transfer of funds to the State Health Agency before pending claims are settled. The final disbursement of dues is expected to take around a week, after which private hospitals will review the situation and decide on any future course of action.
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