The Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure (AHPI) has directed hospitals to discontinue cashless treatment for policyholders of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance from September 1. This decision comes after the insurer failed to clear outstanding dues to the tune of Rs 150 crore. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance is one of the leading insurance providers in India, and this move is expected to affect a large number of policyholders.
According to reports, the insurer had not paid the dues to hospitals for the treatment of patients under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which is a government-funded health insurance program. The scheme provides health coverage to economically vulnerable families, and hospitals are required to provide cashless treatment to beneficiaries. However, with the insurer failing to clear the dues, hospitals are facing financial difficulties in providing treatment to patients.
The AHPI has asked hospitals to collect payment from policyholders directly, which will cause inconvenience to patients who are used to availing cashless treatment. This move is also expected to lead to an increase in out-of-pocket expenses for patients, which could be a significant burden for many families. The decision to stop cashless treatment for Bajaj Allianz General Insurance policyholders is a setback for patients who rely on the scheme for medical treatment.
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has stated that it is working to resolve the issue and clear the outstanding dues to hospitals. However, the insurer has not provided a specific timeline for settling the dues, which has added to the uncertainty and concern among policyholders. The company has assured policyholders that it is committed to providing them with the best possible service and is working to resolve the issue at the earliest.
The AHPI’s decision to stop cashless treatment for Bajaj Allianz General Insurance policyholders is a significant development that highlights the challenges faced by the healthcare sector in India. The issue of outstanding dues to hospitals is not unique to Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, and many other insurers have also been facing similar problems. The government has been working to address these issues and ensure that hospitals receive timely payments for the treatment of patients under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
In conclusion, the decision to stop cashless treatment for Bajaj Allianz General Insurance policyholders from September 1 is a significant setback for patients who rely on the scheme for medical treatment. While the insurer has assured policyholders that it is working to resolve the issue, the uncertainty and concern among policyholders are likely to continue until the outstanding dues are cleared. The government and regulators need to work together to address the issues faced by the healthcare sector and ensure that patients receive timely and affordable medical treatment.