KOCHI: Private hospitals in Kerala that had threatened to withdraw from the state and central government health insurance schemes are now eager to be empanelled hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme (AB-NHPS).

This is despite the fact that many of the procedures offered under Ayushman Bharat scheme are almost 20% to 25% lesser than even Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), which the private hospitals claimed is much lesser than the actual cost incurred by the hospitals. “All small hospitals are eager to welcome Ayushman Bharat scheme in Kerala as we have been promised timely payment. We are forced to wait longer for payment under schemes like RSBY and even CGHS,” said Farhaan Yasin, secretary, Kerala Private Hospital Association (KPHA).

At present there are around 200 empanelled private hospitals in the state that cater to patients under various government schemes such as Karunya, Snehasparsham,

, ESI, ECHS and CGHS. Most of these hospitals are eager to be part of Ayushman Bharath. Around 10% to 20% patients who visit these hospitals are covered under the schemes. “The scheme is of great benefit for patients as the coverage is Rs 5 lakh per family, while the current maximum coverage under state health insurance schemes is Rs 2.5 lakh,” said Dr Harish Pillai, CEO, Aster Hospitals and Clinics, India said “This comprehensive insurance scheme will benefit the BPL a lot. Now, we don’t have a comprehensive health scheme in the state where the people have the choice of opting for either a government or empanelled private hospital,” said Dr Sanjeev Singh, medical superintendent, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences. Private hospitals will have to re-engineer their current business model to be be part of the highly subsidized packages under the scheme. “When the patient knows that the government is going to pay for them, they can choose whether to go to a government or empanelled private hospital,” added Dr Pillai.