Private Hospitals Cite Unpaid Government Dues, Announce Suspension of Golden Card Treatment
Srinagar, June 10, KNT: Private hospitals and dialysis centres across Jammu and Kashmir will stop accepting Golden Cards from July 1, 2026, due to non-clearance of pending payments by the government, the Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDA) announced on Wednesday.
The decision threatens to disrupt healthcare services for thousands of beneficiaries availing treatment under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and the SEHAT scheme through empanelled private healthcare institutions.
According to the association, repeated representations regarding long-pending payments have failed to yield a resolution, forcing private hospitals and dialysis centres to suspend services under the Golden Card scheme from next month.
The move marks a major escalation in the standoff between private healthcare providers and authorities over reimbursement delays, with hospital operators arguing that continued non-payment has placed severe financial strain on institutions participating in the scheme.
JKPHDA said private hospitals have continued to provide treatment despite mounting dues but can no longer sustain operations without timely settlement of claims.
The association warned that the suspension would affect a wide range of services, including dialysis treatment and specialized medical care currently being availed by Golden Card beneficiaries at private facilities.
The announcement is likely to raise concerns among patients dependent on the scheme, particularly those requiring regular treatments and procedures not readily available in nearby government hospitals.
The Golden Card scheme has been a key component of the government’s health insurance framework, enabling eligible beneficiaries to access cashless treatment at empanelled public and private healthcare institutions. [KNT]
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