Ayushman Bharat coverage only for COVID-19 patients in ICU/on ventilator

Mangaluru: APL and BPL ration cardholders COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment in Intensive Care Units or on a ventilator in private hospitals will only be covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme as per revised rules.

20 private hospitals in the city were providing treatment to APL/BPL cardholders under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. 60 other private hospitals in the district will now provide COVID-19 treatment under the ‘Auto Empanelment’ system, sources managing the Ayushman Bharat scheme said.

Presently, if someone is infected with COVID-19 and must be admitted to ICU or needs a ventilator, the hospital where the patient is admitted sends a request for referral to the District Ayushman Nodal Officer. After the referral letter is issued then the patient is treated for as long as they need it.

The patient has to cover the cost of treatment till the time he or she is referred for ventilator or ICU admission.

“In Dakshina Kannada district 80 hospitals are providing free treatment to BPL/APL cardholders under the Ayushman Bharat scheme only if they are treated in ICU or need a ventilator. The scheme does not apply to COVID-19 patients whether symptomatic or asymptomatic undergoing treatment at these hospitals. Information on the Ayushman Bharat scheme can be obtained by patients or their families from the ‘Arogya Mitra’ in private hospitals,” said Dr Ratnakar, Nodal Officer of Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka scheme in Dakshina Kannada district.