Chandigarh, Sep 18 – Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh announced on Wednesday that the state health agency will be recruiting medical professionals to accelerate the claims processing under the ‘Ayushman Bharat Mukhmantri Sehat Bima Yojana.’ This initiative is designed to ensure timely payments to hospitals that are part of the health insurance scheme.

During a review meeting with the sub-committee of the state health agency, Singh addressed various policy-related matters, manpower shortages, and other pressing issues, as stated in an official release. The minister emphasized that the hiring of medical professionals is crucial for streamlining the claims process, minimizing delays, and enhancing overall operational efficiency while also reducing the existing workload.

“The recruitment initiative will prioritize qualified medical professionals capable of efficiently assessing and processing claims, which will facilitate prompt reimbursements to healthcare providers,” Singh explained. He also noted that the newly hired staff would receive extensive training tailored to the specific protocols and requirements of the claims processing system.

In addition to new hires, Singh highlighted the importance of training existing staff involved in claims processing to ensure they remain updated on best practices and procedural changes. This effort aims to uphold high standards of service and accuracy in evaluations.

Furthermore, Singh instructed officials to expedite the clearance of pending payments to all hospitals affiliated with the Sehat Bima Yojana. Since the scheme’s inception, the Punjab government has disbursed Rs 210 crore in payments from April 1, 2024, to September 15.

The health minister also urged concerned officers to launch a special campaign to enroll as many individuals as possible under the Sehat Bima Yojana, ensuring that no eligible beneficiary is overlooked. This scheme provides cashless treatment coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually, available at 772 government and private empaneled hospitals throughout the state.

To date, the state health agency has issued 84.44 lakh cards, extending benefits to over 45 lakh families. The scheme covers approximately 1,600 types of medical treatments, including knee replacements, heart surgeries, and cancer treatments, thereby significantly enhancing access to essential healthcare services for the residents of Punjab.