Ayushman Bharat payment delays hit hospitals in Bihar

Patna: Ayushman Bharat, the Centre’s flagship health insurance scheme aimed at providing cashless treatment to economically weaker sections, is facing criticism in Bihar as hospitals empanelled report prolonged delays in reimbursement payments.

According to the news reports, under the norms of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, hospitals are expected to receive payments within 15 days of submitting claims if no discrepancies or queries are raised. However, administrators of private and charitable hospitals alleged that reimbursements have been delayed since January, disrupting day-to-day operations and affecting the delivery of healthcare services to economically weaker patients.

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Hospital authorities said the delay has created difficulties in managing operational expenses such as staff salaries, procurement of medicines, maintenance of medical equipment, and other essential services.

Among the affected institutions is Mahavir Cancer Hospital, which reportedly has pending dues exceeding Rs 20 crore. Hospital director Dr Biswajit Sanayal said that while some payments were recently released, a substantial amount is still outstanding.

Another major institution, Mahavir Vatsalya Aspatal, which specialises in child healthcare and is run by the Mahavir Mandir Nayas Samiti, is also grappling with delayed payments. Director Dr Rajeev Ranjan Prasad stated that claims worth nearly Rs 4 crore dating back to January are yet to be cleared.

“Ayushman Bharat is govt’s flagship health insurance scheme, which enables eligible beneficiaries to receive cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals and is a great help to the economically weaker section. Strengthening such schemes and timely payment will definitely help in treatment of the poor,” Rajeev said, reports Economic Times.

Several other private hospitals in Patna have reportedly encountered similar delays, though many declined to speak publicly on the issue.

Ruban Hospital claimed that dues of nearly Rs 3 crore have remained unpaid for almost five months. Public relations officer Amit Kumar said the hospital was still waiting for clearance of the pending amount.

As per the Economic Times, the Buddha Cancer Centre also said bills worth nearly Rs 3 crore linked to around 1,100 cases were awaiting clearance. “Our bills related to 1,100 cases are pending, some of which are waiting for clearance since January,” said director Dr Ridu Kumar Sharma.

Shashank Shekhar Sinha, Special Secretary in Bihar’s Health Department and Chief Executive Officer of Ayushman Bharat in the state, acknowledged the delay and said reimbursements have remained pending since March. He added that the payment process is expected to resume within the next few days.

Bihar currently has 1,298 hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat, including 434 government hospitals and 864 private institutions.

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