Haryana Private Hospitals Suspend Ayushman Services Over Unpaid Dues

Private hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Haryana suspended services to beneficiaries for 24 hours on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, to protest outstanding payments that have accumulated to several hundred crores. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Haryana, has warned of a complete withdrawal of services from September 16 if the dues are not cleared.

Ajay Mahajan, Chairman of the Indian Medical Association–Hospital Board of India, said private hospitals normally submit around 2,500 claims daily, but no claims were filed on Tuesday as part of the protest. "Hospitals want to work and help needy patients, but the government cannot keep doing charity at the doctors' expense," he said.

IMA Haryana president Sunila Soni stated that approximately ₹1,200 crore owed to private hospitals has remained unpaid since January. In a letter to the CEO of the Ayushman Health Protection Authority, Haryana, the IMA had warned a week earlier that services would be suspended on September 1 over the delay in payments. The letter noted that payment pendency had crossed six months despite an agreed timeline of 15 days for clearing claims.

"Despite repeated assurances over the past three years, the situation remains unresolved. This symbolic suspension is intended to draw the urgent attention of the Government, concerned authorities, media and the general public to the serious financial difficulties being faced by empanelled hospitals," the letter read.

Ms. Soni attributed the delays to inadequate budgetary allocation, the large number of beneficiaries, and a shortage of manpower for processing claims, calling the current delay the longest so far. She added that the government had released part of the dues whenever hospitals threatened to withdraw services, but the issue remained unresolved.

Meanwhile, Haryana Health Department officials disputed the claim, saying Ayushman services continued to function normally. The State Health Authority said ₹570 crore had been paid to private hospitals this year and the remaining dues were being processed. It also noted that 200 private hospitals had sought fresh empanelment and 75 had applied to add new specialities, indicating continued interest in the scheme.

About 650 hospitals, including government facilities, are empanelled under the scheme in Haryana. In August 2025, private hospitals had kept Ayushman treatment in abeyance for 19 days before resuming services following assurances from government agencies. IMA representatives have been invited for discussions with the Ayushman CEO on Wednesday.