Pvt hospital charging exorbitantly for COVID treatment, alleges NGO

In the complaint, Jayaram Venkatesan of Arappor Iyakkam a 58-year-old male COVID-19 patient, who is undergoing treatment at the private hospital, was given an approximate bill of Rs. 2.85 lakh for first four days of in-patient admission. “The patient’s relatives are being pressurised to pay the bill,” he added in the complaint.

 The patient was admitted to the hospital on August 21 for breathlessness. He was kept in suspect ward and given oxygen support immediately. Sample was taken for test and after the result returned positive, he was shifted to the COVID Ward ICU on the same day. After two days, he was transferred to the general ward.

 “The patient has CMCHIS Insurance Card. However, the hospital is refusing to cover the patient under the scheme. The bill says Rs 71,000 per day though the ceiling is only Rs 15,000 for critical care and Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,500 for non-critical care per day,” he said.

 The NGO also pointed out that when the patient’s relatives tried to call 104 and lodge complaint, the staff at the helpline reportedly said they could not take complaints against private hospital.