Private Hospitals in Manipur to Suspend PMJAY Services from Aug 16 — Patients Left in the Lurch
Summary
From August 16, 2025, private hospitals in Manipur have warned they will stop accepting PM-JAY / Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries unless the State clears long-pending reimbursements — a move that could immediately deny cashless treatment to vulnerable patients, including those on life-saving dialysis. The Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI), Manipur chapter, says mounting unpaid claims and operational strain forced the decision after a July 30 meeting; the state currently has 25 empanelled hospitals under AB-PMJAY (17 public, 8 private). Patients and families protested at the Manipur Press Club, urging quick government action to avert a humanitarian crisis.
Private Hospitals, PMJAY and a Healthcare Crunch in Manipur
The headline — what’s actually happening?
Have you ever queued for medical help and felt the ground shift under your feet when someone says “cashless service suspended”? That’s the reality Manipur faces. Private hospitals—already stretched—have announced they will stop offering PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat) services from August 16, 2025, unless the state government clears outstanding reimbursement claims. In plain English: if you hold an Ayushman card and need treatment at a private empanelled hospital after that date, you could be asked to pay on the spot. And for people who rely on the scheme for catastrophic expenses, “pay now” isn’t an option — it’s a catastrophe.
Closing thoughts — why this matters beyond Manipur
The Manipur suspension threat is a microcosm of a national challenge: universal health coverage depends on trustworthy, timely financing. PMJAY was built to protect families from catastrophic medical expenses. When the payment link between the State and providers breaks, the whole promise frays. Fixing it isn’t just an administrative chore; it’s an ethical imperative. Patients don’t have the luxury of waiting for more efficient systems — their lives are on the line now.
FAQs
1. When will private hospitals in Manipur stop offering PMJAY services?
They have announced a temporary suspension effective August 16, 2025, unless the state clears the pending reimbursement claims. The decision was taken by the AHPI Manipur chapter after a meeting on July 30.
2. Why are hospitals threatening to suspend PMJAY services?
Hospitals cite mounting unpaid claims and operational strain caused by delayed reimbursements from the State Health Agency, making it financially unsustainable to continue cashless services under the scheme
3. How many hospitals in Manipur are empanelled under PMJAY?
Manipur has 25 empanelled hospitals under AB-PMJAY — 17 public and 8 private. Loss of private participation could significantly reduce access to specialized care
4. What should patients dependent on PMJAY do now?
Contact your empanelled hospital to confirm its plans, identify alternate public hospitals that provide required services, ensure you have basic emergency funds if needed, and document all communications for future claims or legal recourse
5. Is this a problem confined to Manipur?
No. Similar disputes over delayed reimbursements have prompted private hospitals in other states (e.g., Haryana) to threaten suspension, indicating a broader, systemic issue in timely state-level payments under PMJAY. Structural fixes and better SHA capacity are needed nationwide.
