Odisha Private Hospitals Threaten To Stop Services To BSKY Smart Card Holders

Puri: The private hospitals in the state have threatened to stop providing services to BSKY smart card holders, if the anomalies in the scheme are not addressed by the state government soon.

Speaking to media persons, here on Sunday, the members of All Odisha Private Medical Establishment Forum (AOPMEF) said the government provision for extending medical services worth Rs 5 lakh to men and Rs 10 lakh to women is not feasible under the provisions of the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY).

They pointed out that the scheme does not mention who will pay for the expenses for the treatment of the patients if the medical bill exceeds the insured amount. Besides, the treatment expenses fixed by the government for diseases are quite low under the scheme and hence providing the services at the present rate is not possible, they added.

They also alleged that as per the MoU signed between the government and the private hospitals, the former should pay the medical expenses of the patients within 30 days. But the government has not made any payment in this regard for the last 4 months, putting the private hospitals under financial strain.

Besides, the BSKY has made it mandatory for the patients to get reference certificate from Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) to avail the treatment facilities under the scheme. But, the patients are getting admitted without the certificate due to their ignorance of the provision, the Forum members said.

Dr Debendra Nath Tarei, secretary of the Forum said they have informed the government about the problems faced by the private hospitals several times, but no remedial measures have been taken so far.

Stating that they would again approach the government to raise their demands, Dr Tarei said if the issues are not addressed soon, the private hospitals would be forced to stop extending services to smart health card holders under BSKY.