My aunt who runs a hospital informed us today that the Central Government Health Scheme (the single payer health system for Indian central government employees) has mailed hospitals all over the country. It has informed the hospitals that they can no longer get away with continuous empanelment and lax standards. To remain empanelled with the CGHS, they must get accredited with the National Advisory Board for Hospitals.
So far, any private or charitable hospital could get empanelled with the CGHS. Once this was done, it would get an endless stream of central government employees as patients. It would then conduct say one test and one surgery, and send the CGHS a bill for ten tests and five surgeries. This is an example of how the corrupt private sector commits atrocities upon the government.
Fortunately as soon as the last date of campaigning ended, the CGHS moved to ensure that this disgusting state of affairs does not continue. Now all these hospitals will have to be accredited with the NABH. Since this is a long and complicated process, it will ensure that hospitals can no longer exploit the CGHS’s unwillingness or inability to audit and control the reimbursement process. Now at least some of the money they are making will return to CGHS officials to hasten and ensure the accreditation.
We are greatly fortunate that we are getting strong regulations in healthcare. It will ensure that the new health minister and his administration are able to raise the necessary funds.
Posted by Aadisht