HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad District Consumer Forum-I directed a city-based hospital to compensate a Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiary by paying ₹4,77,386 for overcharging the complainant.
The issue pertains to the hospitalisation of the complainant, Mir Abdul Hameed Khan, a retired ASI employee, who was admitted to Star Hospitals in Banjara Hills from July 1 to 16, 2020, for Covid-19, pneumonia, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Abdul said that the hospital charged him ₹11,51,974, which he paid in two instalments, but was only reimbursed ₹4,41,106. He ascertained from the CGHS officials that the hospital failed to charge him the CGHS rate, following which he filed a complaint.
The hospital denied the allegation and contended that the complainant never informed the hospital that he was covered under the CGHS scheme.
After perusing the evidence and documents of both parties, the forum held Star Hospitals in violation of the prescribed norms. Holding the hospital guilty of deficiency in services, the forum held that the complainant was entitled to a refund of ₹4,77,386, along with ₹50,000 in compensation and another ₹10,000 for legal costs.
