Bengaluru: The Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) scheme, which was supposed to allow citizens easy access healthcare facilities, seems to be going out of their reach.
Many citizens complain that private hospitals either refuse treatment or charge above the limit, making access to important surgeries at private hospitals impossible and expensive, especially for the poor.
Sources in the Health and Family Welfare Department said treatment rates under the AB-ArK scheme had not been revised since its inception in 2018, which could be one of the reasons why private hospitals hesitate to treat patients.
"We cannot expect private hospitals to perform complex surgeries at a minimal cost. Over the years, medical equipment and services have become expensive. This naturally calls for a revision in prices set under the scheme. Despite a proposal in 2022, the rates have not been revised," a well-placed source said.
Many hospitals also make patients pay for out-of-scheme charges without outright refusing treatment. They either deter the patient by quoting a heavy price or charge them higher than government rates.
Strict action against Arogya Mitras if patients made to pay under Ayushman Bharath Arogya Karnataka scheme: U T Khader"We have heard of many cases where heart patients were told that at government prices, they will receive a stent that may not be of good quality and the hospital insists that they opt for an expensive stent if they want to ensure quality. This way, they can charge over and above the government rates. Providing such options only puts patients in a fix. Many others also charge for treatment of any secondary infection after the surgery or if the patient has multiple complications. They say only one treatment can be covered under the government package and the patient must pay for the other," said Dr Sylvia Karpagam, a public health professional.
In the 2026-27 state budget, the government announced that the Health Benefits Package (HBP) 2022 would be adopted to increase rates and include new procedures. However, six months on, there has been no progress.
"The financial implications are being determined and since it has been announced in the budget, we will adopt it soon. However, over the years, we have increased the rates of a few procedures and included new ones," a senior official from the health department said.
"The proposal to adopt the revised rates will soon be brought before the Cabinet for approval," the official said.
Another senior official from the department said some hospitals may have refused treatment due to a lack of genuine referral.
"Patients have to get a referral from a public health facility. If there are some problems with referrals, hospitals may refuse treatment. However, if they refuse treatment otherwise, we will take action," the official
said.
According to data accessed by DH, the department has served 48 show-cause notices on private hospitals and levied penalties for refusing treatment since
2018.
Sources in the department and activists working on ground believe the number could be much higher because no regular checks are conducted and the department acts only on complaints.
About 1,600 procedures are offered under the scheme.
Elusive Benefits
Many hospitals make patients pay for out-of-scheme charges
Some hospitals may have refused treatment due to a lack of genuine referral
Health dept has served 48 show-cause notices on private hospitals and levied penalties for refusing treatment since 2018
About 1,600 procedures are offered under the government scheme