New Delhi: Only 2,113 hospitals were empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in 2024-25, govt data has shown.
In 2022-23 and 2023-24, the number of hospitals empanelled under the health assurance scheme was 3,124 and 4,271, respectively.
Minister of state for health Prataprao Jadhav shared the information in a written reply to a Parliament question last week. A total of 31,466 hospitals have been empanelled under AB-PMJAY, including 14,194 private hospitals, Jadhav said.
“Under AB-PMJAY, the health benefit packages have been revised and rationalised five times since the launch of the scheme. Health Benefit Package (HBP) 2022 comprises 1,961 procedures across 27 medical specialties,” he added.
On the issue of delayed settlement of claims, the minister said claims settlement is an ongoing process under AB-PMJAY and claims are settled by respective state health agencies.
“National Health Authority has laid down guidelines for payment of claim to hospitals within 15 days of claims submission for the intra-state hospitals (hospitals located within state) and within 30 days in case of portability claims (hospitals located outside state). Claim settlement is monitored at the highest level and it is ensured claim is settled within defined turnaround time.”
But many healthcare associations say low package rates and delayed payments are key reasons behind the lukewarm response to govt schemes from the private sector, especially large corporate hospital chains.
Recently, the Haryana branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said private hospitals in the state were intent on withdrawing from the scheme over delayed payments.
