Chandigarh: Private hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Haryana will suspend services under the flagship government health insurance programme for 24 hours from midnight on 1 September, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Haryana, announced on Friday, citing prolonged delays in claim disbursement that it said have pushed facilities into financial distress.
IMA cites long-pending claims, warns of further action
The IMA told the chief executive officer of the Ayushman Bharat–Haryana Health Protection Authority that payments against claims had been pending for more than six months, despite an agreed timeline of 15 days for clearing claims. The association said repeated assurances over the past three years had not produced a lasting solution.
“We have been receiving assurances for timely clearance of payments for the past three years, but the problem continued without any substantial resolution. Continued delay could ultimately affect the availability of healthcare services for poor and needy beneficiaries dependent on Ayushman Bharat,” said Dr Sunila Soni, president of the IMA Haryana.
As a symbolic protest, the IMA said all Ayushman-empanelled private hospitals across the state will stop providing services under the scheme from midnight on 1 September until midnight on 2 September. The association warned that if payment disbursements do not substantially improve, it will withdraw Ayushman services permanently from midnight on 16 September.
Immediate impact on beneficiaries and hospitals
The association warned that the sustained delays have placed several private hospitals under severe financial strain. In its communication, the IMA said one hospital had been forced to close recently because of financial difficulties attributable, in part, to delayed reimbursements under Ayushman Bharat.
For beneficiaries relying on the scheme — which provides cashless secondary and tertiary care to eligible patients — the 24-hour suspension will mean that empanelled private hospitals will not offer covered services during the protest window. The IMA framed the action as necessary to draw urgent attention to settlement backlogs.
What the timeline shows
| Parameter | Stated/Agreed | Current status (as per IMA) |
|---|---|---|
| Claim settlement timeline | 15 days | More than 6 months pending |
| Protest period | 1 September, 0000 hrs to 2 September, 0000 hrs | 24-hour symbolic suspension |
| Possible further action | — | Permanent withdrawal from 16 September if no improvement |
Authorities yet to respond publicly
The IMA's letter was addressed to the CEO of the Ayushman Bharat–Haryana Health Protection Authority. The authority had not issued a public response to the protest notice by the time of publication. The association said it had previously suspended services on a couple of occasions and resumed after receiving assurances from officials.
Wider context and consequences
Ayushman Bharat aims to provide financial protection and access to healthcare for low-income families. Delays in reimbursements to empanelled private hospitals can limit the willingness of such facilities to provide cashless treatment, potentially reducing the network of accessible providers for beneficiaries.
Health-sector stakeholders warn that recurrent payment pendency can erode the capacity of smaller private hospitals to continue offering services under government schemes. The IMA's threat of a broader withdrawal would, if carried out, reduce the number of private facilities available for cashless treatment under Ayushman Bharat in Haryana.
What patients should know
- Empanelled private hospitals in Haryana will not offer Ayushman Bharat services between 0000 hrs on 1 September and 0000 hrs on 2 September.
- Beneficiaries requiring urgent care should check with hospitals in advance about the availability of cashless services during the protest window or consider government hospitals and other empanelled facilities outside the state if feasible.
- The IMA has warned of a potential permanent withdrawal of Ayushman services from 16 September unless settlement processes improve.
The IMA, Haryana has framed the suspension as a last-resort measure to press authorities for timely payments that it says are essential to sustain patient care under the scheme. Officials from the Ayushman Bharat–Haryana Health Protection Authority had not issued comments by publication; the situation will be monitored for further developments.
