Private Hospitals To Boycott Ayushman Scheme In Madhya Pradesh From October 8 Over Dues, NABH Rule

Private hospitals in Madhya Pradesh are set to boycott the Ayushman Bharat Niramayam (MP-ABN) scheme starting October 8 due to outstanding dues and a mandatory National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare (NABH) accreditation requirement, according to the United Private Hospitals and Diagnostic Association (UPHDA). Around 330 private hospitals, empanelled under the Ayushman scheme across Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, and Jabalpur, are facing debarment due to the absence of NABH accreditation.

These hospitals range from primary to full NABH accreditation levels. While NABH accreditation is voluntary, the Central government made it mandatory for Ayushman Bharat recipients in 2018. UPHDA general secretary Dr Vishal Baghel stated that 330 private hospitals are set to be affected in these four cities. Bhopal is home to approximately 90 affected hospitals.

The Madhya Pradesh Ayushman Bharat Niramayam (MP-ABN) CEO, Dr Arvind Shah, revealed that Rs 1,200 crore in pending payments to private hospitals have been cleared over the last six months, with Rs 650 crore cleared since June. However, Rs 1,200 crore remains pending in Portal-1, which is not operational, and Rs 1,500 crore is still pending in Portal-2 for clearance.