The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notices to the Union government and the governments of Punjab and Haryana in response to a public interest litigation concerning delays in payments to hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme.
The petition was filed by Mohali resident Ram Kumar through advocate Satish Bhardwaj. It states that the Ayushman Bharat Health Scheme, launched in 2018, provides cashless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year, with the cost shared between the Centre and the states in a 60:40 ratio. Under the scheme guidelines, claims submitted by empanelled hospitals are to be settled within 15 days, extendable to a maximum of 30 days.
According to the petitioner, reimbursements are frequently delayed for several months, which has affected hospital operations and, in some cases, led to suspension of treatment for beneficiaries. The petition seeks directions to the state governments to ensure payments are made within the stipulated timeframe.
The petitioner also informed the court that the Punjab government follows a “first in, first out” system for processing payments, while the Haryana government has stated that it aims to clear payments within 30 days.
The matter was heard by a Bench comprising Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, which issued notices to the respondents and scheduled the next hearing for January 20, 2026. The petition further raises the issue of accountability in the implementation of government policies that directly affect public welfare.
