Himachal Pradesh's Health Schemes Face Financial Crisis with Over ₹230 Crore in Dues

Himachal Pradesh's flagship health schemes, Himcare and Ayushman Bharat, are in a financial crisis with dues exceeding ₹230 crore. This backlog raises concerns about the sustainability of cashless healthcare and the operational efficiency of hospitals. With significant staffing shortages and ongoing payment delays, experts warn of potential impacts on patient care. The situation calls for urgent attention to financial management within the state's healthcare system.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 2, 2025, 16:18 IST

Health Services Strained in Himachal Pradesh

Sourabh Sood
Dharamshala
The prominent health initiatives in Himachal Pradesh, namely Himcare and Ayushman Bharat, are grappling with a significant financial deficit, with outstanding payments surpassing ₹100 crores, raising alarms about the pressure on hospitals providing cashless services.

In response to an inquiry from Dharamshala BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma, the government revealed that Himcare has pending dues amounting to ₹73.21 crores, while Ayushman Bharat owes ₹160.60 crores to various government medical institutions across the state.

While the government assured that cashless treatment remains available, it acknowledged that the payment process for hospitals under both schemes is still ongoing. The data indicates substantial outstanding amounts at key health facilities.

Outstanding Dues (Himcare | Ayushman):

IGMC-Shimla: ₹75.31 crores | ₹38.14 crores
Tanda Medical College: ₹67.51 crores | ₹23.65 crores
Hamirpur: ₹9.63 crores | ₹6.53 crores
Chamba: ₹24.52 crores | ₹1.40 crores
Nahan: ₹3.22 crores | ₹55.35 lakhs
Dental College-Shimla: ₹22.71 lakhs | ₹1.03 crores
Hospitals such as Nerchowk and Chamyana report no dues under Himcare but have accumulated over ₹2 crores in Ayushman liabilities combined.

Staffing Shortages at Tanda Medical College

Additionally, the government has recognized staffing shortages at Tanda Medical College, where 129 out of 391 sanctioned positions remain unfilled, further complicating service delivery.

Experts caution that the growing liabilities and delayed reimbursements could adversely affect hospital operations, procurement, and the quality of patient care if not addressed swiftly.

With the combined dues of Himachal's two major health schemes exceeding ₹230 crores, urgent concerns arise regarding the financial management and the long-term viability of cashless healthcare in the region.