Addressing the state assembly, Abitkar said the government had examined nearly 368 complaints of hospitals demanding payments from patients covered under the schemes and has recovered penalties of Rs 60 lakh so far
Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar. File Pic
Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar on Monday warned of strict action, including filing FIRs, against hospitals found charging patients under state-run cashless health schemes, emphasising that beneficiaries should not pay “a single rupee” for treatment.
According to PTI, while addressing the state assembly during the ongoing Maharashtra Budget Session 2026, Abitkar said the government had examined nearly 368 complaints of hospitals demanding payments from patients covered under the schemes and has recovered penalties of Rs 60 lakh so far.
Several hospitals were reportedly asking patients for additional money despite treatments being covered under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya (Ayushman Bharat) schemes.
12 hospitals delisted
“Treatment under these schemes is meant to be completely free and cashless. Any violation will invite strict action,” Abitkar said, noting that 12 hospitals have already been delisted for breaching scheme provisions.
He added that the integration of the state scheme with the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat programme has expanded treatment coverage from 1,356 ailments to around 2,300, with higher package rates, reported the news agency.
Beneficiaries can now avail treatments up to Rs 5 lakh.
AI monitoring deployed
The minister highlighted the use of artificial intelligence-based monitoring to track complaints and detect suspicious activity by empanelled hospitals, enhancing transparency and curbing irregularities.
He also informed the House that district-level committees, headed by guardian ministers and comprising MLAs and officials, have been set up to monitor the schemes every three months.
Abitkar urged legislators to actively oversee hospitals in their constituencies and report any violations, reported PTI.
Repeated violators may face FIRs, says Health Minister
“If even a single complaint is received, action will be taken immediately,” he stressed, adding that FIRs may be filed against hospitals that repeatedly flout the rules, the news agency reported.
Abitkar reiterated that these health schemes aim to ensure quality medical access for the poor and common citizens, and the government will not tolerate exploitation of beneficiaries.
Maharashtra to form committee against bogus doctors, illegal nursing homes in state
The Maharashtra government on Monday announced plans to form a committee to monitor bogus doctors and unauthorised nursing homes in the state.
The panel will identify individuals practising medicine without proper qualifications and clinics operating without the required permissions.
The government has also stated it plans to amend the existing law to increase penalties for such violations, including stricter fines and longer jail terms for fake doctors and illegally operating hospitals.
(With PTI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
