In a powerful move to protect patients, Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling personally inspected two private hospitals in the capital today to ensure that beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) are not being burdened with illegal charges.
The inspections followed a strongly worded advisory issued by the State Health Assurance Society (SHAS) on June 1, 2026, issued by Chief Executive Officer Dr Brundha D, IAS.
The advisory makes it crystal clear: empanelled hospitals cannot charge beneficiaries for consultation, diagnostics, or medicines up to three days before admission, or for any care, medicines, diagnostics, or follow-up visits up to 15 days after discharge. All these services are already included in the scheme’s package cost.
“Hospitals must procure required medications and provide them to the beneficiary free of cost,” the advisory states. “Diagnostics evaluation and follow-up visits needed within 15 days post-discharge should also be done free of cost by the hospitals. The beneficiary should not be charged for such pre and post-hospital expenses.” In case of surgery, any post-operative complications or related readmission must also be covered under the original package. The SHAS has warned that any deviation from these guidelines “will be taken seriously.”
During his surprise visits, Minister Dr Mahaling directly quizzed hospital administrators about the implementation of the new advisory. He also reviewed the functioning of help desks and issued clear instructions: treat every patient with dignity and provide proper, respectful care without delay.
In a follow-up review meeting with registered medical practitioners at Lok Seva Bhawan, the Minister again stressed the importance of functional help desks and patient-centric service.
For lakhs of families who depend on AB-PMJAY and GJAY for cashless treatment, today’s developments bring huge reassurance. The Odisha government has sent a loud and clear message: the schemes are meant to remove financial barriers to healthcare — not create new ones.
Beneficiaries facing any unauthorised charges have been urged to report the matter immediately so that strict action can be taken against erring hospitals.
