Bhubaneswar: In a major relief for beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, the Odisha government has announced that all medical tests conducted prior to a patient’s hospital admission will now be covered under the Ayushman treatment package.
State Health & Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling has issued strict directions to hospitals to ensure implementation of the new provision, which is expected to reduce the financial burden on patients and their families.
Under the previous practice, families often had to bear the cost of various diagnostic tests conducted up to three days before a patient’s admission to a hospital, despite receiving treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Clarifying the government’s position, the Health Minister stated that such expenses will henceforth be included in the package covered under the scheme.
Following the announcement, the Health Department has directed all empanelled private hospitals to strictly adhere to the revised guidelines. The minister warned that any violation of the directive would invite stringent action.
To monitor compliance, the government has constituted a high-level committee tasked with conducting inspections at hospitals and reviewing whether the guidelines are being properly implemented.
Apart from ensuring coverage of diagnostic tests, the Health Department has also stressed the importance of patient care and hospital conduct. Hospital authorities and staff have been instructed to maintain professional and courteous behaviour towards patients and their attendants and to ensure that no grievances arise during treatment.
The latest decision is expected to provide significant relief to thousands of Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries across the state by reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Attention will now be focused on the effective implementation of the directive by hospitals.
