Around 650 private hospitals under the banner of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Tuesday observed a 24 hours suspension of work reportedly over delays in the settlement of claims for the last six months.
The scheme is important for economically weaker partients and scores of them visit empanelled hospitals for cashless treatment. Patients either had to pay for treatment at private facilities or approach government hospitals. In Hisar, Ayushman card beneficiaries were not able to avail themselves of cashless treatment at private hospitals as empanelled private hospitals observed a strike over non-payment of dues.
Dr Manish Poonia, district nodal officer for Ayushman Bharat, said all 40 government hospitals and Agroha Medical College had been put on alert to ensure uninterrupted treatment.
Hospital operators said the delay had caused financial difficulties in purchasing medicines, paying staff salaries and running hospitals, forcing them to strike.
Last year, the doctors went on an indefinite suspension of services, causing inconvenience to patients, which were resumed after assurance.
