Charitable hospitals must implement govt schemes, will revise treatment rates: Minister

“Hospitals registered under the Charitable Trust Act should take proactive steps to ensure that needy patients receive the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY),” the minister said.

Hospitals not yet registered under these provisions should complete their registration, and the state government will provide necessary support, he added.

“Hospitals have flagged their concerns about treatment rates under the health schemes and a committee has been appointed towards revision of these rates. This is being done to ensure uniform implementation across all hospitals in the state,” Abitkar said.

The minister was speaking at a review meeting on AB-PMJAY and MJPJAY held at YASHADA.

After complaints of needy patients struggling to access treatment in charitable hospitals, the government issued a directive on April 21 mandating all charitable hospitals to implement health schemes including the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram.

However, charitable hospitals in Pune challenged the order in the Bombay High Court, citing financial strain due to the low reimbursement rates under these schemes, which have not been revised since 2013.

The Association of Hospitals, Pune had challenged the move and filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court.

The minister said that the government had provided land and other benefits to charitable hospitals, making it necessary for them to comply with the implementation of public health schemes.

Acknowledging their concerns,  Abitkar said that the state government is in the process of revising the rates and policies related to charitable hospitals and health schemes with a particular focus on the Indigent Patients’ Fund and the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY).

“A committee has been formed to revise and increase the rates under the schemes, making them more viable for hospitals,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting.

With this revision, the government expects both charitable and private hospitals across the state to begin implementing the schemes. Abitkar added that many hospitals have already agreed to participate.

To support implementation, a mobile app has been developed, and real-time information about bed availability will be accessible through a centralized dashboard.

Among those who attended the review meeting were MLA Kailas Patil, Chairman of the Ayushman Bharat Mission Maharashtra Committee Dr Omprakash Shete, CEO of the State Health Assurance Society Annasaheb Chavan, Deputy Director of Health Dr Kailas Bawiskar, Dr. Prashant Wadikar, District Surgeon Dr Nagnath Yampalle, District Health Officer Dr. Sachin Desai, and representatives from various hospitals.

‘Need better reach for insurance scheme among workers’

Abitkar, who chaired a meeting to take an overview of the Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESIC) in Pune, asked for increased enrollment of employees in the scheme.

In a press release issued by the district information officer the minister was quoted asking the various government agencies to take help from industry bodies to increase enrollment in the scheme.

“The various schemes which are there for the welfare of the employees should be implemented in its letter and spirit,” he said. The minister has asked the district collectorate and other concerned departments to prepare a plan for increase in registration in the scheme.