Private hospitals and dialysis centres across Jammu and Kashmir will stop accepting Golden Cards from July 1, 2026, citing non-clearance of long-pending government payments, the J&K Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDA) announced on Wednesday.
The decision threatens to disrupt healthcare for thousands of beneficiaries availing cashless treatment under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the SEHAT scheme at empanelled private facilities.
JKPHDA said repeated representations to authorities had failed to resolve the reimbursement backlog, placing severe financial strain on participating institutions. The association warned the suspension would affect a wide range of services, including dialysis and specialised care not readily available at nearby government hospitals.
The Golden Card scheme has been a key pillar of the government's health insurance framework, enabling eligible beneficiaries to access cashless treatment across empanelled hospitals.
