In a significant move to enhance transparency and prevent fraud, the Haryana government has issued a strict directive to all hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). These hospitals are now required to implement continuous live CCTV surveillance for all beneficiaries admitted in their Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and High Dependency Units (HDUs).
Directive Aims to Curb Misuse and Strengthen Oversight
The order was officially issued on Wednesday by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ayushman Bharat-Haryana Health Protection Authority. The primary objective behind this mandate is to curb the misuse of the flagship health insurance scheme and to strengthen the oversight mechanism for empanelled healthcare facilities.
According to the directive, the live video feed from these critical care units must be shared directly with the state health agency. This feed will be used for multiple purposes: verification of treatment, real-time monitoring of patient care, and processing of insurance claims. This step is seen as a technological intervention to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach genuine patients and that claims are filed only for actual treatments provided.
How the New CCTV Monitoring System Will Work
The new system establishes a direct digital link between hospital ICUs/HDUs and the state authorities. It moves beyond traditional paper-based or periodic audits to a continuous, live verification process. This is expected to act as a major deterrent against potential malpractices such as billing for non-existent ICU stays or exaggerating the level of care provided to beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
While the directive enhances accountability, it also raises important questions about patient privacy. The government order likely includes protocols to ensure that the video feed is used solely for the stated administrative purposes of claim verification and monitoring, with access restricted to authorized officials.
Implications for Hospitals and Patients in Haryana
For the empanelled hospitals, this means an immediate need to invest in and upgrade their CCTV infrastructure in critical care areas to comply with the state's order. Failure to do so could impact their ability to process claims under the AB-PMJAY scheme.
For patients, the move is designed to protect their interests by ensuring that the scheme's funds are used appropriately, thereby safeguarding the program's sustainability. It adds a layer of assurance that the high-quality care promised under the insurance plan is actually being delivered during their most vulnerable moments in the ICU or HDU.
This initiative by the Haryana government marks a proactive step in leveraging technology for governance and fraud prevention in public health insurance. It could set a precedent for other states looking to tighten the administration of the Ayushman Bharat scheme and ensure its long-term success.
