The Central Government’s flagship health insurance program, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), has finally made its way to Delhi, bringing much-needed free healthcare to lakhs of residents. From 5th April 2024, citizens of the national capital can now avail up to ₹5 lakh free medical treatment in listed hospitals. But as the good news spreads, a serious warning has also come to light: fake and fraudulent hospitals are exploiting the scheme.
In several states, hospitals that never treated any patients were claiming money from the government. This has led to nationwide investigations and a crackdown on fraud under the Ayushman scheme.
Growing List of Fake Hospitals: Action Taken by Government
Over the past few months, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted raids across the country, exposing fake hospitals that were taking government payments without offering any real treatment. As per recent reports, raids were carried out in more than 21 locations including Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.
These fake claims run into crores of rupees, leading to the government taking strict steps. So far:
- 91 hospitals have been suspended
- Many hospitals have been removed from the government panel
- One hospital in Haryana has been blacklisted permanently
These actions show that the Ayushman Bharat Scheme is under tight monitoring, but it also means people need to be careful while using their Ayushman card.
How Can You Stay Safe as a Beneficiary?
To prevent people from being cheated, the government has made everything transparent. Now, you can check the complete list of empanelled (listed) hospitals online. This is especially important now as Delhi residents begin using their Ayushman cards for the first time.
Steps to Check Hospital Status Online:
- Visit the official Ayushman portal:
https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in - Scroll down and click on ‘Find Empanelled Hospital’.
- To check hospitals by state or district, use the ‘Advance Search’ option.
- You can also click to see the list of:
- Suspended hospitals
- Removed hospitals
- Blacklisted hospitals
This feature allows users to identify trusted hospitals before seeking treatment and avoid falling into any trap.
Which States Have the Most Suspended or Removed Hospitals?
The list of states where hospitals have been suspended or removed reveals a concerning trend. Here are the top states with irregularities found under the Ayushman scheme:
| State | Suspended | Removed | Blacklisted |
| Uttar Pradesh | 23 | 2 | 0 |
| Gujarat | 19 | 3 | 0 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| Uttarakhand | 11 | 7 | 0 |
| Punjab | 09 | 49 | 0 |
| Jharkhand | 08 | 0 | 0 |
| Kerala | 00 | 159 | 0 |
| Chhattisgarh | 01 | 124 | 0 |
| Haryana | 01 | 00 | 1 |
| Bihar | 02 | 01 | 0 |
| Assam | 03 | 00 | 0 |
Kerala and Chhattisgarh have the highest number of hospitals removed from the panel, while Uttar Pradesh leads in suspensions. Only Haryana has seen a hospital permanently blacklisted, barring it forever from the Ayushman scheme.
Delhi Joins Ayushman Bharat: How Many Hospitals Are Covered?
With Delhi’s inclusion in the Ayushman Bharat scheme, over 6.5 lakh residents are expected to benefit from free healthcare. Currently:
- Over 90 hospitals in Delhi are part of the scheme
- Out of these, 59 are private hospitals
- No Delhi hospital has been suspended or blacklisted yet
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that the government will keep a close watch on all empanelled hospitals in the state. As the scheme rolls out, the hope is that people will not only benefit from quality treatment but also stay protected from scams.
What Is Ayushman Bharat Scheme?
In case you’re new to the scheme, here’s a quick explanation.
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is a government health insurance plan that offers cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year to eligible families. The scheme covers hospitalisation, surgeries, medicines, and diagnostic services.
Under this scheme:
- People from economically weaker sections can apply
- Treatment can be availed in empanelled public and private hospitals
- No payment needs to be made at the time of admission
- A health card or Ayushman card is required to get the benefits
Now, with the launch in Delhi, almost every major Indian city is now connected to this healthcare system.
What’s Next? Stronger Monitoring and Better Transparency
The central government has assured that action against fraud will continue, and transparency will improve as new technology is added. Officials have also announced that hospitals found repeatedly violating rules may face permanent blacklisting, criminal action, and recovery of fraudulent claims. As Ayushman Bharat expands, especially in metros like Delhi, public awareness is critical. From knowing which hospitals are safe, to reporting fraud, people must stay alert while accessing their benefits.
