Srinagar, June 10 : A major healthcare crisis could be on the horizon in Jammu and Kashmir, with private hospitals and dialysis centres warning that they may withdraw from the Ayushman Bharat–SEHAT Scheme from July 1, 2026, citing prolonged payment delays, mounting financial losses and growing operational challenges.
The warning comes from the Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDA), which represents a large network of private healthcare institutions across the Union Territory. The Association says hospitals have been waiting for reimbursement of approved claims for months despite repeated appeals to the concerned authorities.
According to JKPHDA, the continued delay in payments has placed private hospitals under severe financial stress, threatening their ability to provide critical healthcare services, including dialysis, cancer treatment, intensive care, emergency services, cardiac procedures and life-saving surgeries.
The Association also expressed concern over the rejection and deduction of claims without a transparent review mechanism, describing the situation as unsustainable for healthcare providers already grappling with rising costs.
Hospital operators say the crisis has been further intensified by increasing prices of medicines and medical supplies. Oncology centres, in particular, are reportedly facing difficulties in maintaining stocks of essential cancer drugs such as Cisplatin and Carboplatin due to blocked reimbursements and global supply-chain disruptions.
JKPHDA claimed that while private hospitals continue to await payments, more than ₹180 crore under the Ayushman Bharat scheme is reportedly lying unutilized with public hospitals, raising questions about the management and distribution of healthcare funds.
The Association has demanded immediate release of pending claims, payment of interest on delayed reimbursements as provided under the agreement, transparent review of rejected claims, and strict compliance with National Health Authority guidelines.
Warning of serious consequences, JKPHDA announced that private hospitals and dialysis centres across Jammu and Kashmir would begin the process of de-empanelment from the scheme from July 1 unless urgent corrective measures are taken.
If the standoff remains unresolved, thousands of Golden Card beneficiaries could face significant difficulties in accessing cashless treatment at private hospitals, potentially placing additional pressure on already burdened public healthcare facilities.
With just weeks remaining before the proposed deadline, all eyes are now on the government and health authorities to find a solution and prevent a disruption that could affect healthcare access across Jammu and Kashmir.
