Over 360 private hospitals in Telangana threatened to withdraw Aarogyasri

Thousands of poor patients in Telangana who can’t afford expensive private health insurance, a visit to Aarogyasri empanelled hospitals for a medical procedure, has become a major ordeal every six months or so.

Frequent stoppages and withdrawal of vital healthcare services in Aarogyasri-empanelled hospitals, due to payment disputes between State government and private hospitals over pending medical



bills, has become a major pain point. Patients are forced to run from pillar to post in search of a hospital that will accept their Aarogyasri card.

This time around, over 360 private hospitals, mostly located in districts and run by individual doctors, have threatened to withdraw all medical services to Aarogyasri beneficiaries over uncleared medical bills that range from Rs 1300 crore to Rs 1400 crore.