JnK hospitals threaten suspension of Ayushman Bharat services over Rs 295 crore dues

According to the Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association, the amount has remained unpaid for more than a year. Despite the delay, the hospitals have continued to treat patients under the scheme, offering services such as surgeries, cardiac treatments, and dialysis. They stated that their decision to stop services stems from the Jammu and Kashmir government’s failure to clear the long-pending dues.

The hospitals further explained that suppliers of essential medical equipment and other materials have set a deadline of April 15; beyond this date, supplies may be halted due to the non-payment of bills. Expressing their inability to continue providing services in the absence of funds, these suppliers warned that treatment under the "Golden Card" scheme could be suspended starting April 15—a suspension that would remain in effect until the outstanding dues are cleared and the supply chain is restored, reports the Daily.

One of the hospital owners told ETV Bharat, "Due to the long-pending non-payment of dues, our vendors have stopped supplying essential medical materials, implants, and equipment. This has severely impacted our operational capacity, rendering us completely unable to provide necessary healthcare services to patients." Citing the surge in the prices of medical supplies—attributed to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel—they noted that costs have risen by approximately 18–22%. This has further exacerbated their financial burden and heightened the urgency for timely payments. Another hospital owner remarked, "The delays in payments, combined with this sudden spike in prices, have made the procurement of supplies even more difficult."

In a message addressed to Anant Dwivedi, CEO of the State Health Agency (SHA) for Jammu and Kashmir, the hospital owners formally informed him that they would discontinue their services if their outstanding dues were not cleared. In a letter addressed to the CEO, the Association stated, "We regret to inform you that, due to the depletion of medical supplies, we will be unable to continue providing treatment under this scheme after April 15."

According to The Daily, the association has stated that if the State Health Agency provides them with the necessary medical supplies and implants, they will continue to render their services to ensure that patient care remains uninterrupted. According to the SHA, there are 8.5 million registered Ayushman cardholders in Jammu and Kashmir who avail the benefits of this scheme, while the total number of beneficiaries is reported to be 10,104,488. The SHA further notes that out of the 1.3 million claims submitted, 82 per cent have already been settled.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that private hospitals and dialysis centres across Jammu and Kashmir announced their decision to withdraw from the AB-PMJAY-Sehat scheme last year. This move came in response to several contentious decisions made during the 9th Governing Council Meeting, which private healthcare providers believe could have severe repercussions for the sector.