Mangaluru: Exorbitant hospital bill shocks coronavirus patients


Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 11: There have been complaints from various parts of the state about private hospitals making out huge bills for treating coronavirus patients. In an incident that happened in the city, two patients, who were taken aback by the unusually large amount mentioned in the bill, went away from the hospital.

The state government has already determined the charges private hospitals can levy for coronavirus treatment. But there have been numerous incidents where excessive money is being charged to such patients. Two infected persons not having enough money, who were treated in a hospital, were about to be discharged. However, when they saw the bill, they were shocked. One of them was charged over two lac rupees, while the other got a bill of Rs 1.9 lac. They questioned the hospital about the rationale for charging such huge sums, an eyewitness stated.


Representational image

He went on to explain that one of the infected persons told the hospital authorities that he does not have so much money and sought a reduction in the bill. But the hospital authorities were not agreeing. After discussions, both the infected persons walked out of the hospital, he said. However, it is learnt that the two visited the hospital the next day and settled their bills.

The government has fixed Rs 10,000 per day for general ward patients in private hospitals but the hospitals, it is said, charge much more. Discussions on this issue are often conducted on social media. However, a private hospital here has turned out as a model for others by officially publishing its rates.

District health department officials have asked the people to get treated at government hospitals for free, and pointed out that a chief executive officer of a Dubai-based international company and his family members got treated at Wenlock Hospital. In cases where government hospitals are full, as per the approval of the government medical officer, the government foots the bill of private hospitals as per charges already prescribed, the in-charge district health officer, Dr Ratnakar, said. He also said that it is mandatory for private hospitals to display rate boards for treating different conditions.

Social worker Jerald Towers, has asked the district administration to keep a check on such developments and take actions against violators.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Raj, Karkala

    Sun, Jul 12 2020

    Why people are NOT taking Health Insurance with Covid-19 added for All family members.

    If one person bill comes 2 lakhs, for a 4 member family it will come to 8 lakhs.

    Every one should have Health Insurance & add Covid-19 to the covered disease by a Top-up.

    Karnataka bank gives 3 lakh insurance for 3 months for Rs.399.
    You should be happy to lose 399 rupees, but if you get disease, you have 3 lakh for hospital expenditure.

    But, I always hope, I lose the premium money in Health insurance. No one likes to get admitted to hospital.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roshan, Mangalore

    Sun, Jul 12 2020

    Why insurance? People are struggling to earn daily bread.This is a emergency situation, pandemic. Govt should take over private hospital and give free treatment.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Mumbai

    Sun, Jul 12 2020

    I have read so many horror stories on how o or patients were fleeced in famous pvt hospitals, w/o the patient surviving! Horror stories are coming out from throughout the country now, but not a single hospital has been taken to task?
    In the absence of very strict medical laws the poor patients are left to the mercy of this money making cartels!
    The below is just a small example of how medical mismanagement is dealt in the US:
    "Indian-Origin Doctor Gets 2 Years Jail For Healthcare Fraud In US
    Kain Kumar was ordered to pay USD 509,365 in restitution, USD 494,900 in asset forfeiture, and a USD 72,000 fine.
    Indians AbroadPress Trust of IndiaUpdated: January 07, 2020 12:08 pm"

    BTW, compare our conviction rates, & think??

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dylan, Mangalore

    Sun, Jul 12 2020

    Once in a lifetime opportunity for hospitals to earn extraordinary profits. Hence the hospital management capitalizing on the opportunity. Jj

    DisAgree [3] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Sun, Jul 12 2020

    "Social worker Jerald Towers, has asked the district administration to keep a check on such developments and take actions against violators." ........when district administration itself corrupt, who can help public....!!!!!????? District who are supposed to arrange quarantine, hotel and hospital are trying to make money in each and every opportunity.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr. Edward Nazareth, Mangalore

    Sun, Jul 12 2020

    People should be aware of the treatment facilities for COVID 19 positive individuals.
    1. Those who are tested positive and have mild illness(without breathlessness) or asymptomatic can stay at home (home isolation) as per government guidelines. Those who are not fit for 'home isolation' can be looked after at 'Covid Care Centers' established by the government. Here the treatment is free.
    2. Those who need admission can go to government Wenlock Hospital. The facilities are at par with private hospitals. So many people are cured there. If there are no beds the patients will be sent to private hospitals and the expenses will be taken care by the government.
    3. If treatment at the private hospitals is directly opted by the patient, the rates are fixed by the government. This has to be confirmed before getting admitted. The private hospital bills for treating COVID 19 positive are more than the treatment of non-COVID 19 patients because of lot of logistics involved. The doctors, their associates, the nursing staff and other paramedical staffs have to use 'PPE's all the time which are expensive. All this is normally explained to the patients before admission.

    There are some people who know about the expenses in private hospital special rooms and keep quiet till the treatment is over. When it comes to payment they raise hues and cries.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Cynthia, Kirem

    Sun, Jul 12 2020

    Dr. Edward good comment with a good advice... .. Whatever points you mentioned really agreeable... Thank you for the same....🙏🙏

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Daphne, Mumbai

    Sun, Aug 09 2020

    Dr Nazareth,

    What about charges which by private hospitals which have no justification?
    My mother was admitted to a pvt hospital in Mangalore.First test done for Covid, as she was negative next day night shifted and treatment for the actual problem started.

    For those 24 hours( till they received her covid results) we were billed around 25000 for Ppe kits .
    Examination gloves charges for the 13 days was 7000 Rs( rubber gloves)
    3850 rs for finger oximeter.( Which was not given to her after discharge as the one they were using for her broke.)

    Even if we can afford to pay, the charges have to be justified. Everyone works hard to earn money. Right from the hand sanitizer to the thermometer even sterilization everything was billed to the patient.

    I don't even want to think of the plight of the poor.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • shagird, Mangalore

    Sun, Jul 12 2020

    This is nothing but shameless daylight robbery of the vulnerable.The treatment for Covid sould be subsidized more, if this is the cost involved many people will not come forward for treatment ending up spreading the disease or die.

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Monty Dotor, Mangalore

    Sun, Jul 12 2020

    Wedlock hospital should be open for poor patients for all ailments,not only Covid.Asymptomatic or patients with mild symptoms should be treated at home, middle class and richer patients should be given an option where to get treated and if hospitalization is required, part payment be done by them and part from PM CARE.An Ethics committee of doctors and non doctors should be formed to monitor the situation.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anil, Dubai

    Sat, Jul 11 2020

    no worries ..15 lac .. , govt. will give,
    out of that if 2lac as bill amount ...,
    still public has 13lac...!!

    DisAgree [21] Agree [83] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lambert, Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 11 2020

    They will add CORONA tax on rest of 13 lacs, maybe 75%.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Jul 11 2020

    People are already suffering from Unemployment & Inflation.

    DisAgree [13] Agree [67] Reply Report Abuse

  • j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru

    Sat, Jul 11 2020

    No need of instigation. Take heed to Ambani in Rich men's list of World. Adani and Ramdev to follow

    DisAgree [29] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alex, Mangalore

    Mon, Jul 13 2020

    They can be First in Rich list, in this World.
    But Last in the Pauper's List in the Coming World. NO ESCAPE.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


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