Private hospitals upset over low rates fixed for various procedures under modified Yeshaswini scheme
The Hindu
Cooperation Department Secretary S.R. Umashankar said rates for Yeshaswini will be the same as those fixed for Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka
With the modified Yeshaswini health scheme all set to become operational from January 1, private hospitals are upset about the non-revision of rates fixed for various procedures under the scheme.
Taking objection against the non-revision of rates, the State unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA) said this would deter many hospitals from getting empanelled for the scheme.
Private hospitals say that, in fact, new rates for some procedures are even lower than those that were fixed for reimbursement under the old Yeshaswini scheme.
The State unit of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has pointed out the scheme offers ₹9,000 for caesarean delivery, whereas the procedure costs no less than ₹35,000-₹65,000 at private hospitals. The cost fixed for this procedure under the old Yeshaswini scheme was ₹14,000.
Similarly, for Cholecystectomy (surgical removal of gallbladder) the package rate has been reduced from ₹18,000 to ₹10,000. “This procedure costs no less than ₹30,000 even in a rural hospital. It is unfortunate that the government has not even considered the inflation rates and other additional price rises in the last four-five years,” IMA State unit president Shivakumar B. Lakkol said.
He said a delegation would soon meet Cooperation Minister S.T. Somashekar and submit a memorandum seeking revision.
IMA State unit PRO Pavakumar Patil said relaunch of this scheme has been done in a haste. While 70% of the beneficiaries are from rural background and rely on tier-3 cities and hospitals at the taluk level, the government has failed in taking into confidence the service providers of this scheme. “The trustees of this scheme are only from metros who have no idea of the difficulties of peripheral hospitals,” he said.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.