Odisha Health Department Sends Strong Warning to Hospitals Over Unauthorised Fees Under AB‑PMJAY and GJAY

The Health and Family Welfare Department of Odisha rolled out a fresh advisory today, essentially telling every hospital—public or private—to quit the practice of tacking on unauthorised fees to patients who are covered under the Ayushman Bharat‑Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB‑PMJAY) and the state’s own GJAY scheme.

It’s not the first time the state has had to step in. Over the past few months, reports have surfaced of beneficiaries being asked to pay extra for things like ambulance services, diagnostics or even a “processing fee” that the scheme does not recognise. Those demands, officials say, run afoul of the central and state guidelines which clearly state that the cashless benefit covers all approved services without hidden costs.

“Hospitals must adhere strictly to the package rates and the list of covered services,” the advisory reads. “Any deviation—be it an additional charge for consumables, bed‑charges beyond the allotted amount or any other extra fee—will be treated as a violation and may attract punitive action.”

In layman's terms, if you walk into a hospital with an AB‑PMJAY or GJAY card, you shouldn’t be asked to cough up extra cash for the treatment that’s already been approved. The government wants to ensure the promise of “cashless” truly means cashless.

To back the advisory, the department said it will be conducting surprise inspections and will audit claims submitted under the schemes. Hospitals that are found flouting the rules could face fines, suspension of their empanelment status, or even legal proceedings.

While the warning is stern, officials also added a note of cooperation. They urged hospitals to familiarize themselves with the scheme’s tariff orders and to train their staff accordingly. “Awareness is the first line of defence against exploitation,” a senior health officer remarked, adding that the department is ready to provide clarifications wherever needed.

Beneficiaries, meanwhile, are encouraged to keep a copy of their entitlement letter and to verify the charges at the billing counter before making any payment. If anything feels off, they can raise a complaint with the state helpline or directly with the scheme’s grievance cell.

Overall, the advisory serves as both a reminder and a warning: the government is watching, and it intends to protect the most vulnerable patients from being squeezed for extra money that the scheme never promised.