Bhubaneswar, 13 August (H.S.) Empanelled hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana–Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY-GJAY) have been directed to establish 24x7 help desks for beneficiaries, provide cashless emergency treatment under the PM-RAHAT scheme and ensure compliance with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) guidelines.

The directions were issued by State Health Assurance Society (SHAS) CEO Dr Brundha D. during a review meeting on the implementation of the schemes in private hospitals.

Dr Brundha directed all empanelled hospitals to integrate their Hospital Management Information System (HMIS), ABHA-based patient records, healthcare facility registry and health professional registry with the ABDM platform by August 31, 2026. Hospitals failing to meet the deadline will face withholding of incentives under the Ayushman scheme, while continued non-compliance may lead to de-empanelment.

Under AB-PMJAY guidelines, hospitals must establish dedicated help desks at prominent locations near their main entrances and deploy Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras (PMAMs) to operate them round the clock. The Arogya Mitras will assist beneficiaries with identification, registration, information on treatment facilities and other necessary support.

The ABDM integration will enable patients to access their digital medical records without carrying physical files and facilitate seamless transfer of treatment history, investigation reports and other health information when referred to another hospital. Digital records of diagnostic tests, including CT and MRI scans, will also be accessible through the system.

Dr Brundha also directed hospitals to ensure proper implementation of Pradhan Mantri RAHAT (PM-RAHAT). Under the scheme, motor vehicle accident victims reaching an empanelled hospital within 24 hours of the accident are entitled to cashless emergency treatment for up to seven days, subject to a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh.

Hospitals were also instructed to provide treatment to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) cardholders as per prescribed guidelines. The submission of bills for treatment provided under PM-RAHAT and the CAPF health scheme has been integrated with the Ayushman portal.

The review meeting was attended by Additional Secretary-cum-Joint CEO, SHAS Ratnakar Sahoo, Additional Director Dr Bishnu Prasad Mahapatra and other senior officials, who briefed representatives of empanelled hospitals on the implementation of the various schemes.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda