Charges at Kerala private hospitals under lens

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of its efforts to standardise rates in private hospitals, the government is studying in detail the charges levied for diagnostic, treatment procedures and patient care activities in private hospitals. The move comes in the wake of increasing complaints of overcharging by private hospitals in the state.

"We are studying the charges being levied for different treatment procedures including surgical interventions to ascertain the difference of rates in various institutions. I have been receiving numerous complaints about exorbitant rates and different rates being charged for same procedures. Our priority is to check exploitation of patients," Health Minister K.K. Shylaja told DC.

She said the government is expected to get a detailed report soon. “We will think of some formula to standardise the rates,” she added. With more than 60 per cent health care services being provided by private sector, the government believes that there is a need to have a check on private hospitals. Various studies suggest that the rates for various medical procedures four times higher in private sector compared to public health sector. The variation in charges is also witnessed in diagnostic tests including CT scan, spiral CT scan, MRI. IMA national president Dr A. Marthanda Pillai said standardisation of rates in private hospitals is unrealistic.

"You cannot have uniform rates for all hospitals. Each hospital has different layers of facilities, equipment, expertise of specialists, nursing care though they may be carrying out the same procedures," he added. He said the government should instead think of empanelling private hospitals for its health schemes to ensure quality health care for the poor at subsidised rate. It could also think of setting up aided hospitals on the lines of aided schools.