In an effort to reduce delays and enhance operational efficiency in the country’s largest public health insurance programme, the government has invited researchers and innovators to develop technology-based solutions for automating claims processing under Ayushman Bharat.
The National Health Authority (NHA), functioning under the Union Health Ministry, has launched an Auto-Adjudication Hackathon to create scalable tools that can streamline the assessment and settlement of insurance claims under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
This initiative comes as authorities recognise the importance of faster, more transparent claims processing in building trust among both hospitals and beneficiaries participating in public health schemes.
As per a public notice issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the hackathon will focus on designing automated systems capable of handling high volumes of claims while maintaining accuracy and regulatory compliance.
The event will conclude with a two-day offline finale at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, scheduled for May 8-9, where shortlisted teams will showcase their solutions.
Registrations are open from March 31 to April 13. The NMC has urged medical colleges and institutions to spread awareness about the initiative and encourage participation from researchers, innovators, and professionals across academic and industry networks.
Experts believe that automation in claims adjudication can significantly reduce processing time, minimise human errors, and improve transparency key challenges faced by large-scale health insurance programmes.
The hackathon is expected to bring together policymakers, healthcare professionals, technology experts, and startups. Senior officials, including NHA CEO Dr Sunil Kumar Barnwal, along with industry leaders such as Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, are expected to attend the opening session.
The second day will feature discussions on the future of claims adjudication, particularly focusing on the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and the need for regulatory safeguards to ensure its safe and effective implementation.