With Private Hospitals Halting Ayushman Bharat Services, Private Insurance Is A Must

According to news reports, over 650 private hospitals have halted Ayushman Bharat services. This means that if you are not covered under private health insurance, you will have to shell out money from your own pocket for treatment.

When private hospitals stop accepting insurance plans like Ayushman Bharat, patients often lose the option of free cashless treatment for serious illnesses like cancer, heart problems, kidney dialysis, etc.

“In such situations, the families are then left with only two choices: firstly, either go to the government hospitals that are already crowded and have long waiting lines, or secondly, spend money from their own pocket. Many families end up borrowing money, which further adds to their financial burden,” says Anita Teli, Chief Compliance Officer, Probus.

The Issue With Ayushman Bharat 

This issue shows that there are big problems in the way the scheme is run. Hospitals don’t get their payments on time, the rates fixed by the government are often too low to cover actual costs, and states don’t have enough funds. On top of this, there is no quick system to resolve complaints. All these reasons make private hospitals unwilling to continue with the scheme.

Beyond delayed payments and low rates, the scheme also has issues with administrative complexity.

Limited awareness among patients about their entitlements further reduces the scheme’s effectiveness. Together, these challenges discourage private hospitals from participating and undermine the promise of seamless, cashless healthcare for vulnerable families.

Why Private Health Plans Are A Must 

Private health plans help people gain faster treatment and protect families from expensive medical bills; however, they cannot completely replace the Ayushman Bharat plan. Many people cannot afford the premiums of such private plans, and even those who have insurance may face limits, exclusions, or extra payments. “Still, for those who can buy it, private insurance ensures that their treatment continues without any major financial stress,” says Teli.

While the idea is to get sufficient coverage, one can employ smart strategies to keep health insurance premiums in check. Also, it is important to get private health insurance coverage even when your employer covers you, as you may be left without any cover between jobs. In that case, you can port your policy to a personal plan.