Fraud in CM Health Insurance Scheme, Jalandhar's Sarvodaya Hospital Removed from Panel
Jalandhar's Sarvodaya Hospital has been removed from the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme panel after a fake ICU admission was exposed during a health department inspection. Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh confirmed that 14 hospitals across Punjab have been delisted for fraud, with fines of Rs 78. 67 lakh imposed and refunds issued to affected patients.
Fraud in CM Health Insurance Scheme, Sarvodaya Hospital Removed from PanelPatient Shown in ICU on Portal, Found Admitted in HDU on InspectionThe Health Department has removed Jalandhar's Sarvodaya Hospital from the scheme's panel list. Following the emergence of alleged fraud related to patient treatment under the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme, it is alleged that the hospital's portal showed a patient admitted in the ICU. In contrast, during an on-site inspection, the patient was found admitted in the HDU (High Dependency Unit) instead. Health Department teams are auditing private hospitals empanelled under the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme. As part of this exercise, a team inspected Sarvodaya Hospital a few days ago. During the inspection, the portal showed the patient as undergoing treatment in the ICU, but on the spot, the patient was found to be admitted to the HDU. The team submitted its report to the Health Department. In addition, the department has also received complaints against the hospital for taking money from patients for treatment under the scheme. Confirming this, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said that patients can no longer be treated under the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme at Sarvodaya Hospital. The Health Minister said that 14 private hospitals across the state have been removed from the panel list over irregularities and fraud in patient treatment. A total fine of Rs 78,67,301 has been imposed on these hospitals. Additionally, six patients have been refunded Rs 2,94,024 out of the money that had been taken from them under the scheme. He said that if any hospital demands money from a patient for treatment under the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme, a complaint can be filed on the helpline number 104. The government will not only ensure the patient's money is refunded but will also arrange for their treatment.