CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The focus is now on ensuring that patients get clear information about treatment costs and available facilities in hospitals. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked all states and Union Territories to ensure that rates for services and facilities in hospitals, clinics and other clinical establishments are displayed at prominent places.
In this regard, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has written to the chief secretaries of states and Union Territories, urging them to review compliance with the applicable rules and take necessary steps.
Rates will have to be displayed in English and the local language.
According to the Health Ministry, in states and Union Territories where the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 is in force, the institutions concerned are required to clearly display the rates of available services and facilities. The Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012 also contain provisions in this regard.
Under the rules, information on rates should be displayed at a place where patients and their relatives can see it easily. This information should be available in English as well as in the local language so that people do not face difficulty in understanding the cost of treatment.
In states and Union Territories where the central law is not in force, hospitals and other clinical establishments are regulated according to the rules of the respective state or Union Territory. Many of these systems also have provisions for displaying the rates of services and facilities.
The cost of treatment can be estimated in advance.
The ministry believes that if clear information on rates is available in hospitals, patients and their families will be able to estimate the likely cost of treatment. This will help them plan their budget and make informed decisions about available options.
Confusion or billing-related disputes between patients and hospital management often arise over the cost of treatment. Clearly displaying service rates may help reduce such disputes. However, it will not be possible to accurately estimate every patient’s final bill only by looking at the rate list, because the cost also depends on the patient’s condition, tests, medicines, duration of hospital stay and complications during treatment.
Emphasis has also been placed on package rates for foreign patients.
The Health Ministry has also encouraged the clear display of treatment package rates, wherever applicable, for foreign patients coming to India on medical or Ayush visas. The aim is to provide foreign patients with cost information before treatment and reduce the possibility of complaints related to prices and billing.
A transparent pricing system can prove useful for foreign patients coming to India for medical and Ayush services. It will help them plan expenses related to treatment and travel.
The responsibility for compliance with the rules lies with the states.
Health is a state subject, so the responsibility for effectively implementing and monitoring the applicable provisions rests with the respective state and Union Territory administrations. The Union Health Secretary has urged chief secretaries to pay attention to the matter and issue necessary instructions to the concerned officials and health institutions.
The main objective of this initiative is to increase transparency regarding the cost of treatment in hospitals and make essential information easily available to patients. If the rate list is clear, updated and easy to understand, patients will be able to make better-informed decisions before undergoing treatment.
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