Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 23: Hospitals across Karnataka will have to disclose the purchase prices and maximum retail prices (MRP) of medicines on patient bills from November 1, as the state government moves to bring greater transparency to healthcare billing and address concerns over rising treatment costs.

The new directions will require hospitals to mention both prices on bills and use the same prices for treatments, according to Health and Family Welfare minister U T Khader, who announced the measures in Bengaluru on Thursday.

The move is aimed at helping patients understand the actual costs of medicines and medical supplies, while making hospital billing more transparent.

Expressing concern over rising healthcare costs, particularly following the entry of foreign investors into the sector, Khader said, "According to my observation, after foreign investors have entered the healthcare market, the prices have gone up tremendously. We will discuss and see what best can be done."

Hospitals have also been instructed to display medicine price lists prominently in public areas, particularly near registration counters, where patients and visitors can easily view them.

The government is yet to discuss the penalties for hospitals that violate the new directions. "The punishment for violating the rules would be discussed," Khader said.

"We do not intend to push the healthcare business into loss, but some stringent rules and regulations will have to be put in place," he added.

The minister clarified that the government does not expect private hospitals to charge rates on a par with those at government hospitals. Instead, he said, prices could be determined based on the facilities available and the level of treatment provided.

"We are not expecting the pricing at private hospitals to be on par with the price set at government hospitals, but the rates could be fixed based on the amenities provided and the level of treatment at the hospital," Khader said.

He further noted that hospitals could display the prices of major medical procedures on notice boards, while details of other procedures could be recorded in a ledger and referred to whenever necessary.

The Health Department is also planning to convene a meeting with private hospitals shortly to discuss and finalise the terms and conditions of the proposed measures.

The initiative is expected to improve transparency in hospital billing, allowing patients to better understand the costs of medicines and treatment as the state seeks to introduce greater accountability in the healthcare sector.