Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has conducted an intensive orientation programme for 779 empanelled private hospitals across the state to strengthen the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY-GJAY) and the Pradhan Mantri Road Accident Victim Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment (PM-RAHAT) scheme, with a focus on ensuring cashless and hassle-free treatment for beneficiaries.
The week-long training programme, organised by the State Health Assurance Society (SHAS), concluded in Bhubaneswar on Friday. Representatives from empanelled hospitals in all 30 districts participated in different batches and were trained on various operational aspects of the schemes.
Addressing the inaugural session, SHAS Chief Executive Officer Dr Brundha D. directed hospitals to ensure prompt, cashless treatment for beneficiaries holding ABPMJAY-GJAY and Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana (AVVY) cards. She also stressed strict adherence to the PM-RAHAT guidelines, under which road accident victims are entitled to free treatment.
She said the success of the schemes depends on the quality of care and behaviour of hospitals towards patients, adding that the government has already made the required financial and administrative arrangements for cashless treatment. Hospitals were cautioned that negligence, corruption or unnecessary delays in providing treatment would invite strict action.
The orientation covered key operational areas including pre- and post-hospitalisation benefits, patient registration, pre-authorisation procedures, grievance redressal through the online portal and claim adjudication. Officials informed participants that properly submitted pre-authorisation requests under specified packages would generally be approved within minutes or hours, with a maximum turnaround time of six hours, after which they would be deemed approved.
Detailed sessions were also held on the responsibilities of medical coordinators in submitting pre-authorisation requests and raising claims, while trainers emphasised accurate claim filing, protection of patient dignity and privacy, and timely response to queries.
Under the PM-RAHAT scheme, hospitals were reminded that all motor vehicle accident victims brought to a hospital within 24 hours of an accident are entitled to cashless treatment of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for a maximum period of seven days. The procedures for claim submission and mandatory display of scheme-related information within hospital premises were also explained.
The government also asked empanelled hospitals to integrate their Hospital Management Systems with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) platform to enable seamless digital healthcare services. Officials said the integration would improve patient care, reduce dependence on physical records, facilitate information sharing during referrals, expedite claim processing and prepare hospitals for future digital healthcare requirements.
Additional Secretary and Joint CEO of SHAS Ratnakara Sahoo, Additional Director Dr Bishnu Prasad Mohapatra, Dr Rashmi Ranjan Satpathy, Dr Subhrajit Rao and Dr Arun Mohapatra served as resource persons during the training programme.
