Hospitals turning away urology patients under the RGHS without treatment, notices to 50

The Health Department has issued show-cause notices to 50 hospitals for their reluctance to provide treatment under the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS). The department states that if satisfactory responses are not received, de-empanelment actions will be taken against these hospitals. The issue involves urology treatments, with many hospitals demanding higher rates, while the state government asserts that urology rates are already aligned with those under the CGHS, making such demands unjustified. As a result, many hospitals are turning away urology patients. According to the Health Department, these notices have been issued due to underbooking urology packages. If no satisfactory explanation is provided, action will be taken to de-empanel those hospitals.

Principal Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, Gayatri Rathore, stated that the department is actively taking necessary steps to ensure the smooth functioning of the RGHS scheme. Measures such as timely decisions on payments to hospitals, package rates, and other issues have been implemented. She emphasized that all stakeholders, including beneficiaries, should not face any inconvenience. However, if any hospital refuses treatment without valid reasons, action will be taken according to the rules. Recently, show-cause notices have been issued to hospitals that underbooked urology-related treatment packages under the scheme.

Harjilal Atal, CEO of the Rajasthan State Health Assurance Agency, stated that most hospitals are providing urology care. Last month, approximately 9,000 patients received treatment in this category under the RGHS scheme. Fifty hospitals, identified for underbooking packages, have been issued notices. He added that some urology organizations are demanding increased package rates, but since the rates under the RGHS scheme are aligned with CGHS rates, refusing treatment based on package rates is unjustified.