Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 12
The Nagaland Health Protection Society (NHPS) has invited bids from licensed insurance companies for implementing the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana - Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (AB PM-JAY CMHIS), even as the threat of withdrawal of services looms large from private healthcare providers in the State.
The short tender notice was issued on April 5, whereby the NHPS, under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, sought participation from both public and private insurers registered with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
The selected firm will be tasked with providing insurance coverage to eligible families under the consolidated AB PM-JAY CMHIS initiative, it stated.
The selection process included a last date for queries and a hybrid pre-bid meeting on April 10, while the submission deadline is April 21.
As per the notice, the ‘Notice of Award’ and Acceptance of Award are scheduled on April 22 and 23, respectively. If the process goes as planned, the contract signing is scheduled for April 24.
The tender process follows the expiration of the State Government’s previous contract with Future Generali India Insurance Co. Ltd (FGI), which ended on April 1.
On April 2, the State Government had informed the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench (GHCKB) that it was considering a new insurer.
The NHPS, the agency implementing AB PM-JAY CMHIS in the State, also submitted before the Court that until an alternative arrangement is in place through a new contract, the State Government would continue making due payments for services provided by the NPDA through the “Trust Mode.”
In light of these developments, the Bench disposed of an interlocutory application concerning the Public Interest Litigation on the issue and scheduled the next full hearing for May 7.
The State Government also informed the Court that while it had paid 100% of the insurance premiums, the insurer, FGI, had failed to disburse payments to empanelled private hospitals and doctors under the schemes.
Earlier, the issue of non-payment prompted the Nagaland Private Doctors' Association (NPDA) to issue a public notice in February, threatening to withdraw services under both AB PM-JAY CMHIS unless dues were cleared.
In response to the PIL, the GHCKB had issued an interim order directing the NPDA to continue providing services in the public interest.
However, with the contract now terminated and the Government considering a new insurer, the Court suspended the order on April 2. It added that both the State Government and NPDA were free to pursue legal remedies against the insurer if deemed necessary.
Meanwhile, the NPDA has reiterated its deadline, stating that from April 17, its members would withdraw from the insurance schemes unless immediate steps are taken to release their dues.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary, the Nagaland Private Doctors' Association (NPDA) informed that it had, on March 17, issued one month’s notice to the CEO, NHPS regarding “continued non-payment of dues to private Empanelled Health Care Providers (EHCPs).” “Despite our repeated concerns, the situation remains unresolved,” the NPDA stated in the letter, released to the media on April 11.
The association informed that during a discussion with the Commissioner & Secretary, Health and Family Welfare on April 9, it was suggested that the State Government may consider creating a contingency fund to clear the pending dues of EHCPs.
However, it said that without compensation, “the continued financial strain threatens the very survival of our establishments,” and they would be forced to withdraw from the schemes unless immediate corrective action is taken.
