Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has directed all hospitals empaneled under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana–Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY-GJAY) to set up 24×7 help desks for beneficiaries.
The hospitals have also been asked to ensure free emergency treatment under the Pradhan Mantri RAHAT (PM-RAHAT) scheme and comply with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) guidelines.
The directions were reiterated by Brundha D., Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the State Health Assurance Society (SHAS), during a review meeting on the implementation of the schemes in private hospitals.
Brundha directed hospitals to integrate their Hospital Management Information System (HMIS), ABHA-based patient medical records, Healthcare Facility Registry and Health Professional Registry with the ABDM software by August 31, 2026.
Officials said that hospitals failing to complete the integration within the stipulated deadline will face withholding of incentives payable under the Ayushman scheme. Continued non-compliance could also result in their de-empanelment, officials said.
As per AB-PMJAY guidelines, every empaneled hospital must establish an AB-PMJAY Help Desk at a prominent location near its main entrance and appoint Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras (PMAMs) to operate it.
Hospitals have been asked to deploy an adequate number of Arogya Mitras to ensure round-the-clock functioning of the help desks. They will assist beneficiaries with identification and registration, provide information on available treatment facilities and extend other necessary support.
Sample designs for the help desks were also demonstrated to representatives of these hospitals during the meeting.
Officials highlighted the benefits of ABDM integration, which will enable patients to access their medical records digitally without having to carry physical files and previous reports.
In case a patient is referred from one hospital to another, treatment history, investigation reports and other medical information can be transferred quickly through digital records. Reports of CT scans, MRI scans and other diagnostic tests will also be readily accessible through digital system.
Dr Brundha also directed hospitals to ensure proper implementation of the PM-RAHAT scheme, under which victims of motor vehicle accidents who reach an empaneled hospital within 24 hours of the accident are eligible for free emergency treatment for up to seven days.
Each eligible accident victim can avail cashless treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh under the scheme.
Hospitals were also instructed to provide free treatment to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) cardholders in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.
The hospitals were informed that submission of bills for treatment provided under PM-RAHAT and the CAPF health scheme has been integrated with the Ayushman portal.
