Ahmedabad: The Gujarat branch of the Indian Medical Association (GSB-IMA) wrote to state health minister Rushikesh Patel on Wednesday regarding the issues faced by cardiologists. From April 1, several cardiologists across Gujarat stopped admitting patients under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) due to pending issues. TOI had reported about the concerns raised by cardiologists who approached IMA for support.
“There is a need to urgently review and revise the current rates of cardiac procedures to make them sustainable. We humbly want you to look for solutions to the following significant issues that all interventional cardiologists in Gujarat confront: the requirement of a full-time on-site cardiothoracic vascular surgeon (CTVS) for elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures, no reimbursement for high-risk/emergency PCI, non-reimbursed intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) use, reduced reimbursement for concurrent procedures and to implement incentive calculation as per HBP 2.2 manual by the Ayushman guidelines,” reads the letter sent to the health minister.
“Your support in this matter would be greatly appreciated as it will help improve the health outcomes and quality of life for people across Gujarat, especially those in need of cardiovascular care,” the letter adds. The cardiologists said that percutaneous coronary angiography saw a price reduction of 27.5% per procedure for one stent, 39% for two stents and 45% for three stents. Likewise, several other states are providing more in the package compared to Gujarat, making the procedure unsustainable for the hospitals here.
