Mumbai, Oct 16 To curb overcharging and billing disputes, the Maharashtra government has made it mandatory for private hospitals, clinics and other medical establishments in the state to prominently display rates of medical services and facilities in Marathi and English.
Authorities have been directed to take administrative and legal action against institutions that violate the rule, the public health department stated in a Government Resolution (GR) issued on Friday.
“The rates of medical services and available facilities specified under Schedule III of the Maharashtra Nursing Homes Registration Rules, 2021, must be prominently displayed in a manner visible to everyone visiting the hospital,” the GR stated.
The directive aims to bring transparency to healthcare services and help patients and their relatives understand the likely cost of treatment in advance, enabling them to make informed decisions, plan medical expenses and avoid confusion and complaints over bills, it said.
The list of rates, in both Marathi and English, must be displayed at prominent, clearly visible and easily accessible locations within hospital premises. The list must be updated immediately whenever charges are revised, the GR said.
According to the resolution, hospitals have been directed to provide adequate information on applicable service charges and cost of treatment packages to address complaints related to billing, and staff at registration desks, enquiry counters and billing counters must guide patients and their relatives about the availability of rate lists and applicable charges to avoid ambiguity.
Hospitals treating foreign patients who have travelled to India on medical or Ayush visas must display the special package rates applicable to them, it said.
The GR directs all competent authorities responsible for the registration, regulation and supervision of hospitals to periodically review compliance with Schedule III of the Maharashtra Nursing Homes Registration Rules, 2021, and initiate necessary administrative and legal action against establishments in case of violations.
District civil surgeons and district and municipal health officers have been instructed to bring the circular to the notice of private hospitals and other medical establishments under their jurisdiction and ensure its effective implementation.
The department said that while the requirement to display rates of hospital services was already mandatory, the latest directive follows instructions issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on October 12.
(PTI News)
