Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has directed all hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana (GJAY) to establish 24×7 help desks to assist beneficiaries in accessing healthcare services.
The directive is aimed at ensuring that eligible patients receive timely information and support while availing themselves of benefits under the government’s health assurance programmes.
Free emergency treatment under PM-RAHAT
The empanelled hospitals have also been instructed to provide free emergency treatment under the Pradhan Mantri RAHAT (PM-RAHAT) scheme.
Under the scheme, victims of motor vehicle accidents can receive cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh, provided they are admitted for treatment within 24 hours of the accident.
The initiative is intended to ensure that accident victims can access critical medical care without being delayed by financial concerns during the crucial initial period following an accident.
ABDM integration deadline
The state government has further directed empanelled hospitals to integrate with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) by August 31, 2026.
ABDM integration is expected to facilitate greater digital connectivity within the healthcare system and improve the availability and portability of patients’ health information.
Action for non-compliance
The government has warned that hospitals failing to comply with the directives could face withholding of incentives or de-empanelment from the relevant health assurance programmes.
The measures are intended to strengthen implementation of government healthcare schemes and ensure that beneficiaries receive services in a timely and transparent manner.
With 24×7 help desks, mandatory digital integration and emergency cashless treatment under PM-RAHAT, the government aims to make healthcare access more responsive, particularly for beneficiaries requiring urgent medical assistance.
-OdishaAge
