Most private hospitals in Delhi not on board to roll out Ayushman Bharat, rates a sore point

While most of the empanelled private hospitals are in New Delhi district, there is no empanelled hospital in Northeast and Shahdara districts. Of the 46 private hospitals, 10 are dedicated eye care institutes.

The scheme provides free and cashless treatment for 1,961 medical procedures across 27 specialities, covering the costs of medicines, diagnostic services, hospitalisation, ICU care, and surgeries, among other related expenses.

As many as 22 private and three government hospitals will provide services for cardiology care. While at least eight hospitals will provide coverage for urology related ailments, five will treat oncology-related ailments.

However, major private hospitals like Max, Apollo Indraprastha and Gangaram are yet to be empanelled to provide Ayushman Bharat services. Sources at these hospitals said they are yet to receive any proposal from the government. “We are having internal talks with our senior authorities but we are yet to receive any proposal from the government,” said a senior official from a top private hospital in South Delhi.

The concern of lower tariffs has been worrying private hospitals. Recently, a doctors’ body had met the Chief Minister and Health Minister Dr Pankaj Singh over the issue.

“Private hospitals are hesitating due to the lower tariffs. We are providing the same rates for the last 10 years under Central Government Health Scheme and other government health insurance schemes. These rates have not been revised for a long time. We are waiting to see what rates are decided for Ayushman Bharat,” said an official from a major private hospital in Delhi.

According to sources in the health department, NHA has set up an advisory committee to look into the concerns of lower tariffs.