The Haryana unit of the Indian Medical Association has expressed concern over prolonged delays in payments under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, stating that outstanding dues to empanelled hospitals have exceeded ₹400 crore.
In a letter to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the association said that although funds were released by the Finance Department to the Haryana Health Protection Authority in early November, procedural bottlenecks have delayed disbursement. Payments have reportedly been cleared only up to December, while many intermediate claims remain pending, and processing under the SECC category has only recently started.
IMA Haryana President Dr Sunila Soni appreciated the government’s focus on the scheme during the recent Budget Session but alleged discrepancies in the data presented to the Chief Minister. She noted that the association had avoided raising the issue earlier to not disrupt the session.
The association highlighted that payments, which should be processed within 15 days of claim submission, are facing delays of several months, with some pending since September 25. Even resolved complaints have not led to timely payment releases, hospitals claimed.
It also pointed to administrative challenges within HHPA, including the absence of a full-time CEO, resulting in a policy deadlock. A January 2025 directive to include IMA representatives in key panels and grievance committees has yet to be implemented, and no committee meetings have been held in the past five months.
The IMA has urged the Chief Minister to intervene and ensure timely payments, warning that continued delays could impact healthcare services under the flagship scheme.
