Doctors Urge AP to Clear Aarogyasri dues, Threaten to Stop Services from November 27

Vijayawada: Doctors associated with Andhra Pradesh Speciality Hospital Association have urged the state government to clear the Aarogyasri scheme claims worth Rs 1,000 crore and said, else, they would not treat the beneficiary patients from Nov 27.

The ASHA addressed a letter to the health special chief secretary Krishna Babu on Monday, all dues must be paid and there must be substantial enhancement of package prices as promised by the state government earlier and enhancement of NABH quality incentive to a minimum of 5 per cent.

“Unless these are done, it would be difficult for us to continue with the service,” they said.

The doctors said that nearly 92 per cent of the population was availing healthcare services under the Aarogyasri scheme after the state government enhanced the number of medical/surgical interventions up to 3,200.

They said, “The current dependency of the hospitals on these schemes was in the rage of 60 to 90 per cent. As the package prices were not enhanced since 2013, as against the cumulative inflation of over 75 per cent and medical inflation of over 100 per cent, the Aarogyasri scheme has become unviable, resulting in serious financial distress to the Aarogyasri network hospitals.”

They also alleged that regular periodic payments of the claims were not being done, causing serious cash flow issues to run the hospitals and forcing the hospitals to extend their cash credit limits from financial institutions.

They called for the setting up of a joint committee to address multiple operational issues.

ASHA president Dr Murali Krishna said, “We have submitted a representation to the state government and we are optimistic of getting the issues resolved early. We have no intention to cause any trouble to the government.”