Treatment rates and guidelines

Earlier, the major financial worries of ordinary people and middle-class families were the cost of their children’s education, higher studies, and expenses related to daughters’ marriages. Today, this concern has shifted to the fear of unexpected medical expenses. With major changes in lifestyle and food habits, diseases can affect anyone at any time. In situations where specialised treatment or major surgeries are required, people are often forced to depend on private hospitals for various reasons. Treatment costs in these private hospitals have now risen to several lakhs, making them unaffordable for the middle class. For those without health insurance, rising medical expenses can shake the very foundation of a family.

It is in this context of widespread complaints about uncontrolled, non-uniform and exorbitant treatment charges that burden common people that the High Court directed the government to issue specific guidelines to be followed by all clinical establishments, including private hospitals. Accordingly, the Health and Family Welfare Department recently issued a public notice directing strict compliance with the rules framed under the Kerala Clinical Establishments Act. These guidelines include the requirement for hospitals to display treatment rates for various diseases. However, private hospital owners' organisations have now come out in protest against these directives.

The Kerala Private Hospitals Association has stated that a petition filed by them against what they call impractical provisions is currently under the consideration of the Supreme Court, and that they will not comply with the new directives until a final decision is taken. On the other hand, the Clinical Establishments Council argues that private hospitals cannot refuse to follow legally issued regulations. Among the key provisions opposed by private hospital owners are the mandatory publication of treatment rates, handing over medical records and test reports to patients at the time of discharge, and issuing itemised bills for all services. Private hospitals have also raised questions, such as how the same surgery rate can be applied to both children and adults for the same disease.

The association argues that it is more practical for hospital coordinators to explain treatment procedures and costs directly to patients. Anyways, both those working in the private healthcare sector and the state government should not see each other as adversaries. Ultimately, the highest priority should be to ensure quality treatment at fair and affordable rates. Many private hospitals have invested crores of rupees in importing advanced medical equipment, but passing on the entire cost to patients cannot be justified. Instead of confrontation, it would be better to strictly implement new regulations after taking private hospital representatives into confidence. What is needed is a healthcare system that offers good treatment at affordable prices.