Shillong: In a significant move to address public grievances, the Meghalaya government has initiated a high-level review of its flagship health insurance program, the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS), which is the state’s version of the national Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY.
The review, chaired by Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, focused on the persistent issues of delayed payments to hospitals and the high rate of claim rejections that have been causing considerable distress to beneficiaries.
The meeting, held on August 6, saw a detailed discussion with senior health department officials on the systemic inefficiencies plaguing the scheme. It was highlighted that beneficiaries, particularly from the weaker sections, are often caught in a bureaucratic tangle due to prolonged delays in payments to empanelled hospitals, which, in turn, affects the quality of service. Furthermore, a large number of claims are being denied, leaving many families in the lurch and defeating the very purpose of a cashless insurance scheme.
Health Minister Lyngdoh has issued a stern directive to the department, calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into the root causes of these recurring problems. She has emphasised the need for urgent corrective measures to ensure the scheme functions as intended—efficiently and with full transparency. The ultimate goal, she stated, is to make sure every eligible resident of Meghalaya can access the health benefits without any complications or unnecessary hassle.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma echoed the minister’s sentiments in a post on his official X handle, tweeting, “Directed the department to urgently examine the causes behind delays in payments and claim rejections, and to take corrective measures in order to ensure that the scheme is implemented efficiently and transparently to serve the best interests of every resident of Meghalaya.” The government’s proactive step comes as a ray of hope for countless citizens who depend on the MHIS for their medical needs.
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