Haryana's Ayushman Bharat Scheme Faces Over Rs 400 Crore in Pending Dues, IMA Sounds Alarm
The Haryana chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has raised serious concerns about the state's Ayushman Bharat scheme, revealing that more than Rs 400 crore in dues are pending, with some claims unresolved since September 2025. In a urgent appeal on Wednesday, the association called upon Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to intervene and address the escalating financial crisis affecting empanelled hospitals.
Delayed Reimbursements Cripple Healthcare Infrastructure
According to the IMA, hospitals participating in the Ayushman Bharat scheme are experiencing severe financial strain due to prolonged delays in reimbursement payments. IMA Haryana president Sunila Soni highlighted that while payments are mandated to be cleared within 15 days of filing, claims from as far back as September 2025 remain outstanding. "Hospitals are struggling with outstanding dues of more than Rs 400 crore. Queries are put, and even after clearing these queries, payments are not made," Soni stated, underscoring the operational challenges faced by healthcare providers.
Systemic Gaps and Administrative Bottlenecks Exposed
The association pointed to significant systemic issues within the Ayushman Bharat Haryana Health Protection Authority (HHPA). Yogesh Jindal, a representative, noted that the absence of a full-time CEO at HHPA has exacerbated decision-making delays. "The link officer is trying to manage the work, but limited powers have led to bottlenecks," Jindal explained. Additionally, the IMA revealed that empanelment and grievance committees, approved by the chief minister in January 2025 with IMA representation, have yet to become operational, further hindering resolution processes.
Funds Released but Disbursement Stalled
Soni alleged that despite the finance department releasing funds in November, procedural inefficiencies have prevented timely disbursement to hospitals. She also mentioned that many claims under the related Chirayu scheme are similarly pending, compounding the financial burden on the healthcare sector. The IMA's findings suggest a broader pattern of administrative lapses affecting public health initiatives in Haryana.
Urgent Demands for Immediate Action
In response to the crisis, the IMA has issued a set of demands to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, urging prompt action to alleviate the financial distress. Key requests include:
- Early release of pending payments to ensure hospitals can maintain operations and patient care standards.
- Appointment of a full-time CEO for HHPA to streamline authority functions and expedite decision-making.
- Activation of the approved empanelment and grievance committees to address ongoing issues and prevent future delays.
The association emphasized that without immediate intervention, the sustainability of healthcare services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Haryana could be at risk, potentially impacting millions of beneficiaries reliant on this critical government program.
