After nearly three weeks of suspension, Ayushman Bharat services have resumed in Haryana, bringing relief to thousands of patients. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Haryana announced the withdrawal of its strike on Sunday (August 25) night, allowing nearly 650 private empanelled hospitals across the state to restart cashless treatments under the scheme from midnight on August 26.
The Highlight came after a detailed meeting between senior government officials and IMA representatives in Chandigarh. Both sides reached an understanding on addressing the long-pending concerns of private hospitals, particularly relating to financial delays and claim processing under the health insurance scheme.
IMA’s Statement
In its press release, IMA Haryana expressed gratitude to Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi and ACS Health Sudhir Rajpal for conducting the discussions in a constructive manner and agreeing to address the association’s concerns. The association said it has asked all Ayushman-empanelled hospitals in the state to restart scheme-related services from midnight of August 25.
Why the Services Were Suspended
The IMA had launched its agitation on August 7, citing serious operational difficulties in the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). Among the main grievances were inordinate delays in claim reimbursements, arbitrary deductions from approved claims, and cumbersome administrative processes. These challenges had placed a heavy financial strain on empanelled private hospitals, forcing them to halt services. The strike caused significant hardships for patients dependent on the scheme for essential treatments.
Government’s Assurances
In the meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi and Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Sudhir Rajpal, the government assured doctors that all pending claims would be cleared within 30 days. A streamlined mechanism for faster future payments is also being set up to prevent further disruptions.
Other commitments include:
- Escalating requests for package rate revisions, CAPF payments, and green channel payment facilities to the Centre.
- Reviewing the provision of interest on delayed payments, in consultation with the finance department.
- Prioritising the processing of over 400 corrected claim cases and NABH incentive applications.
- Setting up a dedicated hospital helpline and area-wise training sessions for smoother claim filing.
- Directing deputy commissioners to proactively resolve grievance cases and conduct regular review meetings.
Notices and Fraud Cases
Show-cause and suspension notices issued solely for non-admission of patients during the strike period (August 7–25) will now be withdrawn. The State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) has also been asked to expedite pending fraud reviews and share case details with hospitals before taking action on de-empanelment. Progress on all agreed measures will be monitored fortnightly, with the next review meeting scheduled for October 15.
Impact on Patients
The IMA’s decision to restore services reflects renewed confidence in the government’s commitments and brings much-needed relief for Ayushman beneficiaries. Under PM-JAY, launched in 2018, economically weaker families are entitled to free medical treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh annually, covering diagnostics, surgeries, and hospitalisation. The scheme targets over 12 crore families nationwide, benefiting nearly 55 crore people.
