The Central Government has taken strict steps to curb arbitrary and heavy billing in the name of treatment in private hospitals. Under the new guidelines, hospitals will now have to inform the patient’s family members about the full cost of ICU and ventilator treatment in advance, and it will also be mandatory to take prior written permission (informed consent) from the family members before starting the ventilator. The main objective of the government is to curb the unethical and unnecessary use of life-saving equipment like ventilators. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued “Guidelines for Transparency in Ventilator Utilization in Private Hospitals”.
End of ‘looting in the name of treatment’
According to medicalbuyer, a senior DGHS official said that the government aims to restore the public’s lost trust in the private health system. He clarified that treatment should be a challenge for the critical care patient, not a cause of financial ruin. Now the records of every patient who remains on ventilation for more than 14 days will be under the purview of the government.
Main pillars of new guidelines
The government has based the new rules on the principles of bioethics. Hospitals will now have to follow the following rules:
- Clear and informed consent: Before starting the ventilator, the family must be explained in detail about the need for the treatment, the risks and its consequences.
- Disclosure of daily expenses: The probable daily expenses of ventilator and ICU care will have to be informed to the family members in advance so that they can make financial arrangements.
- Uniform fee structure: The fee for the ventilator will be the same in every department of the hospital. In this, the price of consumable items (filter, circuit etc.) will have to be mentioned separately.
- Public Display: It is mandatory to clearly display all charges at the hospital billing counter, outside the ICU and on the website.
- Usage-based billing: Hospitals will be able to charge only for the time the ventilator is actually in use. Billing will not be possible when on standby or idle.
- Time-limited trial (48-72 hours): Patients with uncertain condition will be given a trial of 48 to 72 hours, after which a review will be done whether to proceed with the treatment or not.
- 14-day special monitoring: If a patient remains on a ventilator for more than 14 days, a multidisciplinary committee will review it and the hospital will have to conduct an internal audit.
Ventilator market and need for transparency
Credence Research Inc. According to statistics, India’s ventilator market is growing rapidly. In the year 2024, its market was 207 million dollars, whereas in the year 2032, it is estimated to be 351.12 million dollars.
According to Indu Bhushan, former CEO of Ayushman Bharat, ‘information imbalance’ between doctors and patients is the biggest problem in India. Hospitals have more bargaining power. These new guidelines will reduce that gap and strengthen the audit system.
Grievance Redressal System
Under the new guidelines, private hospitals will now have to create a time-bound grievance redressal system. If family members notice any irregularities or lack of transparency in billing, they will be able to lodge a formal complaint. These guidelines will not only provide economic security to patients, but will also ensure that ventilators are used based on medical necessity and not for commercial gain.
Latest Business News