Hosps log in to Ayushman after govt green signal

Kolkata: The launch of Ayushman Bharat in Bengal on Monday sent hospitals scurrying to draw out a blueprint for a smooth transition into the new scheme, even as the facilities remained unclear if Swasthya Sathi — the universal health scheme launched by the Trinamool govt in 2016 — will be withdrawn. Several have started the process to join the Ayushman Bharat panel.HCG Cancer Hospital in New Town has launched a documentation process to get on the panel. "HCG has a network of 25 hospitals across 19 cities in India, almost all of which are empanelled under Ayushman Bharat. Documentation and procedural formalities of our Kolkata unit is underway and we expect it to be completed shortly. We look forward to the empanelment to be able to extend advanced cancer care to a larger number of patients," said Rupali Basu, regional business head — East & AP, HCG Cancer Hospital.CMRI Hospital, too, has started the procedure. "We hope to finish it in a week. BM Birla Heart Hospital is already on the panel, so we are aware of the formalities," said Sombrata Roy, unit head of CK Birla Hospital-CMRI.Several others, such as Charnock Hospital, are ready for empanelment. "We are keen to join Ayushman Bharat in Bengal. Most hospitals do not have the empanelment with them. We are awaiting instructions for mechanism on empanelment," said Prashant Sharma, MD of Charnock and chairperson of Indian Chamber of Commerce health committee.Though no notification was issued till late on Monday, hospital heads expected Swasthya Sathi to be phased out and hospitals to be empanelled for Ayushman Bharat over six months to a year.Woodlands Hospital initiated the process, said Rupak Barua, president of the Association of Hospitals of Eastern India and Woodlands Hospital CEO. "Other than senior citizens above 70 years, other patients must meet several criteria for admission under Ayushman Bharat. It could take some time and we will wait for a notification and directions from the new govt," added Barua. "We will have meetings to firm up things from our end to implement it." Some, like Ruby and Peerless, are already empanelled for Ayushman Bharat though so far, only patients from neighbouring states availed of the scheme. At the same time, Ruby received insurance payment approvals for Swasthya Sathi patients on Monday, while Peerless said they continued to accept Swasthya Sathi patients.Desun Hospital, too, admits patients under Ayushman Bharat. "We receive a steady flow of patients from Bihar and Jharkhand under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. We need a phased transition so that it remains easy to process applications and patients don't face inconvenience or are not denied the facility," said Sajal Dutta, chairman & MD of Desun.A private hospital official said the phasing out could take a year. "We can admit patients only after they are registered under Ayushman, which didn't cover Bengal so far. So, it could take some time. We haven't yet got a notice to shift patients from Swasthya Sathi to Ayushman Bharat," he said.