Amid Mounting Payment Crisis, Private Hospitals Threaten to Suspend Ayushman Scheme Benefits from April 15 | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Private hospitals and dialysis centres empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat–Sehat Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir have threatened to suspend services under the flagship health insurance programme from April 15, citing prolonged non-payment of dues and an acute shortage of medical supplies.

A member of Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association said that payments from the State Health Agency have remained pending for months—some dating back to July 2025 and, in certain cases, even as far back as 2021—despite hospitals having already delivered critical treatments, including surgeries, cardiac procedures, stent placements, and life-saving dialysis sessions.

“With heavy hearts, we appeal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the association said, highlighting that healthcare providers are now at a “breaking point” due to financial exhaustion and operational constraints.

He said that suppliers have issued a final deadline of April 15, after which they will cease providing essential medical consumables, implants, and equipment owing to unpaid bills. “We have knocked on every door—from politicians to bureaucrats—but no one has come forward to resolve this crisis,” they said.

Healthcare providers warned that if the situation remains unresolved, they will be forced to stop offering treatment under the Golden Card (Ayushman Bharat-Sehat Scheme) from April 15 onwards until pending payments are cleared and supply chains are restored.

Despite the financial distress, hospitals said they continued to serve patients over the past months without interruption. “Our staff and their families have suffered silently. Many could not celebrate Ramzan, Eid, and Navratras with dignity due to lack of funds. Yet, we never stopped serving you,” they said

In a letter to Chief Executive Officer of the State Health Agency, the Association has written that halted payments have crippled their ability to procure essential supplies, effectively leaving them “handcuffed” in delivering healthcare services.

The situation has been further aggravated by global geopolitical tensions, including the Iran-US and Israel conflict, which have driven up the cost of medical supplies by an estimated 18 to 22 percent. This surge in prices, coupled with non-payment of dues, has made procurement increasingly difficult for healthcare institutions.

The association has urged authorities to immediately release pending payments to prevent disruption in patient care. It also expressed willingness to continue services under the scheme, provided that the government ensures timely supply of medical consumables and implants.

“We remain committed to serving beneficiaries but need urgent intervention to sustain operations and uphold the objectives of the scheme,” the association said. (KNO)