11 J&K Hospitals Face Action for Denying Golden Card Benefits to Patients

Srinagar, 25 May:The Jammu and Kashmir government has issued show-cause notices to 11 prominent government hospitals for allegedly misusing the Golden Card scheme under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and SEHAT.

The State Health Agency (SHA) initiated action following a tele-calling audit by Paramount Health Services & Insurance TPA Pvt. Ltd., which uncovered that these hospitals denied eligible patients the promised cashless treatment, instead compelling them to bear out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Hospitals served with notices include SKIMS Soura, Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar, SMHS Hospital Srinagar, JLNM Hospital Srinagar, SMGS Hospital Jammu, GMC Jammu, GMC Udhampur, GMC Rajouri, Government Children’s Hospital Bemina, Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, and SKIMS Medical College Bemina.

The SHA has directed these institutions to submit their responses within seven days. Non-compliance could lead to penalties, suspension from the scheme, or further legal proceedings. Officials condemned the violations, emphasizing that denying Golden Card benefits defeats the purpose of providing accessible and cashless healthcare to the financially vulnerable. (GN)