Morung Express News
Dimapur/Kohima | February 9
In the latest development concerning the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana - Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (AB PMJAY-CMHIS) in Nagaland, private hospitals in the State have announced that they will suspend services under the scheme from February 15.
The suspension will continue until all pending claims are settled, resolved by the Nagaland Private Doctors’ Association (NPDA) during an emergency meeting on February 8.
A press release from the NPDA, outlining key resolutions from the meeting, also demanded a public apology from the Nagaland Health Protection Society (NHPS) for allegedly “damaging the reputation” of the Empanelled Health Care Providers (EHCPs).
The release, signed by NPDA President Dr Lima Imchen and General Secretary Dr Mhasiseno T Belho, further asserted that “no new agreements concerning EHCPs will be signed without NPDA's approval.”
The NPDA also criticised the NHPS and Future Generali India (FGI) for allegedly failing to honour the terms of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EHCPs. It accused both entities of misleading the public and unfairly blaming doctors and healthcare institutions. The NHPS administers public health protection schemes while the FGI is the insurer.
On January 10, amid concerns over the suspension of AB PMJAY-CMHIS services by certain empanelled hospitals, the NHPS reassured the public that the schemes were “fully operational” and not suspended. It attributed the concerns to a “miscommunication” from FGI, which it claimed had been resolved. The NHPS also advised hospitals not to issue hasty notices regarding service suspension without confirmation from the competent authority, stating that such actions could cause unnecessary confusion. Additionally, it encouraged the public to report any unethical practices by hospitals.
The latest response from the NPDA appears to stem from an NHPS notice issued on February 6, which alleged that “several empanelled hospitals are reported to be refusing treatment to beneficiaries.”
It then advised beneficiaries to visit the nearest empanelled hospital or facility that offers the required services, assuring that necessary action will be taken to resolve the issue. “We remind all empanelled hospitals to adhere to their contractual obligations and provide necessary services to beneficiaries,” it added.
