Kidney Patients worried as Gujarat cuts PMJAY hemodialysis claim

Surat : A wave of concern ripples through the kidney patient community in Gujarat as they are calling the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) helpline number seeking clarity and assistance. The reason behind this surge in inquiries? A recent decision by the Gujarat Government to slash the claim amount for hemodialysis under the PMJAY scheme from Rs 2,000 to Rs 1,650.

Ever since the inception of PMJAY, dialysis has emerged as the most frequently claimed package under the comprehensive health insurance scheme. Ironically, the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme, launched in 2016, also offers free dialysis to kidney patients in district hospitals. This has led to a staggering realization that a significant portion of PMJAY claimants mirrors Gujarat’s worrisome burden of hypertension and kidney diseases.

Surprisingly, despite an eight-year span of the PMJAY scheme, the government has chosen not to raise the reimbursement rates; on the contrary, the recent reduction translates to a 17% decrease in the reimbursement for hemodialysis. This decision has sparked concerns among patients, hospitals, and medical professionals alike.

A major chunk of dialysis patients in Gujarat have been availing themselves of dialysis services under the PMJAY scheme, provided through private hospitals. The package offers more than just dialysis; it encompasses essential services such as medicines, injections, lab reports, central air-conditioning, dietary provisions, transport allowances of Rs. 300, and specialized consultation by kidney specialists, all offered at no cost to the patients.

However, the decision to curtail the reimbursement amount has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of this comprehensive scheme. Private hospitals now face the daunting prospect of discontinuing dialysis services, leaving many kidney patients with no choice but to seek treatment at government-run centers.

The initial goal of the PMJAY scheme was to provide enhanced treatment facilities to dialysis patients in private hospitals, bridging the gap between public and private healthcare. With the government’s recent move, the equation has shifted. The community finds itself grappling with a complex scenario wherein they must weigh the reduced financial incentive against the convenience and personalized care offered by private institutions.