- DIMAPUR — The
Nagaland Health Protection Society (NHPS) is reported to be grappling with
significant delays in health insurance claim settlements under Chief Minister
Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) and Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya
Yojana (ABPM-JAY) as a result of certain actions set in motion by Future
Generali India (FGI) Insurance Co. Ltd.
- In a statement issued on Wednesday, the society stated that
the FGI has withheld payments citing alleged fraud by empanelled hospitals, a
move that contradicts contractual provisions and national guidelines.
- This has created financial strain for hospitals and is
impacting beneficiaries' access to timely healthcare, it stated.
- According to a set of ‘key facts and actions taken’ provided
by the NHPS, as of April 14, a total of INR 48.81 crore in claims remain
pending, either under process or approved but awaiting payment.
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- While the FGI approved INR 147.65 crore of the INR 178.96
crore submitted, only INR 99.28 crore has been paid.
- The dispute began in December 2024 when the FGI raised
concerns about suspected fraudulent claims “involving some hospitals submitting
what it referred to as ‘fraud dossiers’.”
- “NHPS took immediate cognisance of the matter and
independently verified the records through its internal audit teams and
district authorities. The findings revealed that a majority of the claims
flagged as fraudulent were either genuine or already under investigation by
NHPS; the insurer failed to substantiate most of the allegations with adequate
documentary proof; and NHPS had, in good faith, extended full cooperation and
offered a joint verification mechanism to which the insurer has remained
unresponsive,” it stated.
- Despite the state government's commitment to cooperate in
recovering fraudulent payments and the NPDA's pledge to penalise erring
hospitals, the FGI has reportedly failed to process genuine claims, it added.
- “It is important to note that the state government has paid
the full premium due to FGI, i.e., INR 91.99 crore, as per the contract
agreement,” it stated.
- According to the NHPS, it has already suspended the
empanelment of two hospitals for a period of six months and has initiated
recovery from two hospitals. “This is an ongoing exercise, and further
recoveries will be made against claims that are proved to be fraudulent beyond
doubt.”