Aarogyasri patients stranded as hospitals suspend services
Private hospitals across Telangana have indefinitely stopped accepting Aarogyasri and EHS health cards, demanding the release of Rs 1,500 crore in pending bills. Patients now must pay upfront for treatment. The strike follows failed negotiations with health authorities since August
Hyderabad: Patients covered under Aarogyasri Health Insurance and government employees under Employee Health Scheme (EHS) on Tuesday had a tough time accessing health care facilities in private hospitals across Telangana.
The indefinite blockage of healthcare services for Aarogyasri and EHS-covered patients, launched by private hospitals from Tuesday, was total. With Aarogyasri and EHS cards not getting accepted, patients now had to pay upfront to access health care services in private hospitals.
Huge signboards and banners, announcing that Aarogyasri and EHS cards were not getting accepted and the reasons for the protests, were put up by the management of private hospitals.
“The protests did not start overnight, as we made it a point to meet all the concerned health authorities to share our grievances. Since the middle of August, we have been raising our concerns about pending medical bills and delayed payment. Nobody has bothered to resolve these issues. Blocking Aarogyasri and EHS was the last resort,” says president, Telangana Aarogyasri Network Hospitals (TANHA), Dr V Rakesh.
At present, medical bills ranging from Rs 1200 to Rs 1500 crore have to be released by the State government to private hospitals. Senior doctors from private hospitals said that the State government had promised to fulfil all their demands in the month of January 2025. However, none of the issues raised by hospitals were addressed.
“There is a need to have a lasting resolution for our issues. There are a number of financial and non-financial issues, which we have raised. Only Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy, has to take a call,” Dr Rakesh said.
What are the major demands of private hospitals?
* Release of pending medical bills totaling nearly Rs 1500 crore
* A preferential process to ensure regular payment to hospitals
* Redrafting of MoUs with private hospitals
* Revision of health packages
* Establishment of redressal mechanism
* Bifurcation between AAROGYASHRI ANS EHS/JHS
* Stop cancellations/deductions of due amounts
