Question : CASHLESS TREATMENT FACILITY QUESTION

(a) whether the disputes between health insurance companies and hospital authorities or providing cashless hospitalisation and cost of treatment of various ailments have not been resolved so far;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the time by which a final settlement is likely to be made in this regard ;

(c) Whether an amendment has been made in the cashless medical facility in various hospitals in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof ; and

(e) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a) to (e): With a view to provide quality health care at an affordable cost and at the same time help the insured to optimally utilize the Sum Insured under their Insurance Policies, the Preferred Provider Network (PPN) was an initiative launched by the four Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGICs) on 1st July, 2010. The objective of the initiative was rationalization of empanelment of hospitals and standardization of rates for specified procedures. Though many hospitals agreed to join the Network to provide cashless facility, there were others who initially had some reservations in joining the same. However, after negotiations all issues were sorted out.

The initial launch of PPN was in the four major cities of Delhi, Mumbai Chennai & Bangalore. The success achieved in these four cities encouraged the PSGICs to extend the initiative to Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh (including Jallandar, Ambala & Mohali) in May, 2011 and subsequently to Kolkata in January, 2012.

Presently, 928 hospitals have joined the PPN Network in the country viz: Delhi-188, Mumbai-165, Bangalore-122, Chennai-125, Ahemdabad-91, Hyderabad-87, Chandigarh (including Jallandar, Ambala and Mohali)-87 and Kolkata-63.