The Meghalaya government has finally put a cap on the treatment cost for Covid patients in all private hospitals in the State.
It may be noted that the State government has on June 18 set up a consultative committee headed by the Director of Health Services (MI) to examine the rates of treatment in private hospitals and to recommend the reasonable rates of hospitalisation charges.
The committee comprising of officials of the Health Department and representatives of government and private hospitals was constituted following several public complaints regarding exorbitant rates being charged by certain private hospitals.
After going through the report of the committee, the Health Department has today notified the rates for regulating the prices to be charged by private hospitals in providing quality care to Covid-19 patients.
According to the notification, the cost per day for general/isolation ward will be Rs 3,500, High Dependency Unit – Rs 5,500, ICU without ventilator – Rs 8,700, ICU with non-invasive ventilator – Rs 9,000, ICU with invasive ventilator – Rs 9,300, Pediatric ICU – Rs 8,000, Neonatal ICU – Rs 7,000.
These rates are inclusive of bed charge, all consultations, nursing care, basic laboratory tests, PPE kits (with N 95 masks), bedside procedure like Ryles tube, urinary bladder catherisation, IV line insertion and bio-medical waste management.
Not included in these rates are oxygen, medicines, non-medical consumables, high resolution CT scan (chest), high end laboratory tests, high end procedures like central line insertions, chest tubes, dialysis and other items not included in the inclusions.
Basic laboratory tests include CBC, KFT, Electrolytes, CRP, D-Dimer, Chest X-ray, Urine R/E and ECG.
“These rates will be applicable only for Covid-19 treatment. Once the patient requires other interventions/treatments, the patient will be charged as per hospital rates,” the notification said.
These rates will not be applicable for private or semi-private rooms once opted by the patient.
However, private hospitals charging less than the above rates shall continue with such rates.
The notification also said that SECC and PMJAY-MHIS beneficiaries would be entitled to the benefits as usual in accordance with the provisions of PMJAY-MHIS and existing procedures laid down to bear the cost of healthcare.
It also mentioned that testing and treatment of Covid-l9 patients will continue to be provided free of cost in all government hospitals in the State.
