BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI: Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, has reassured the healthcare industry that several key developments on Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) are underway, taking cue from recommendations made by FICCI on healthcare human resources, healthcare infrastructure expansion and rational reimbursement rates.

Dr Paul was speaking to a delegation of key members of the FICCI Health Services Committee, which met him in New Delhi to discuss collaboration of the private healthcare providers for continued success of the AB-PMJAY.

Brig. Dr Arvind Lal, Chair- FICCI Health Services Committee, and CMD, Dr Lal Path Labs, said, “It is very important to devise a scientific framework for determination of cost incurred in delivering care and to define differential reimbursement rates for healthcare providers.”

Regarding package rates, Dr Indu Bhushan, CEO, and Dr Dinesh Arora, Deputy CEO, National Health Authority, said: “Based on findings of the costing study carried out by Department of Health Research, FICCI’s scientific costing study and other costing studies in healthcare, there will be further consultation with the industry for positive adjustments and rationalisation of package rates.”

Dr Alok Roy, Co-Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee, and Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals, appreciated the focus on streamlining implementation of AB-PMJAY. He emphasized the need for accuracy in beneficiary identification, empowering hospitals operating in smaller towns and ensuring access for the most vulnerable in the bottom 40% of the covered population.

FICCI presented its policy recommendations on the key tenets for implementation of AB-PMJAY, including scientific costing of medical procedures, sustainable pricing in healthcare, expansion of healthcare infrastructure in tier II and III cities and strategies for increasing the number of specialist doctors in the country.