The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked all States and Union Territories to ensure that hospitals and other clinical establishments prominently display charges for healthcare services and facilities to improve transparency, prevent billing-related disputes and help patients make informed decisions.
In a communication to the Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava urged authorities to review compliance with existing regulations and take necessary steps to ensure that treatment charges are clearly visible and easily accessible to patients and their attendants.
The ministry said displaying healthcare costs would help patients and families understand the likely expenses involved in treatment and plan their finances accordingly. Greater transparency could also minimise confusion over medical bills, reduce disputes and strengthen public trust in the healthcare system.
The communication referred to the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, and the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012. These provisions require clinical establishments in States and UTs where the central law applies to display the rates of all services and facilities at a conspicuous location.
The charges must be displayed in both English and the local language to ensure that patients and their attendants can access the information easily.
The ministry noted that States and UTs where the central legislation does not apply regulate healthcare facilities under their respective legal frameworks, many of which also include provisions for displaying service charges.
As health is a State subject, the responsibility for implementing and enforcing the relevant regulations rests with State and UT authorities, the Health Secretary noted.
The ministry has also called for greater pricing transparency for international patients seeking treatment in India. States and UTs have been asked to encourage hospitals and healthcare institutions to prominently display package rates offered to foreign patients travelling on Medical or Ayush Visas.
According to the ministry, this would help overseas patients compare options and make informed choices, reduce pricing-related grievances and strengthen India’s position as a destination for medical and Ayush care.
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