Karnataka Government Medical College Hospitals Raise Treatment and Lab Charges by 20%, ET HealthWorld
Bengaluru: Treatment and diagnostic tests have got costlier by 20% in hospitals coming under the department of medical education in Karnataka.
The increased charges took effect recently in hospitals coming under the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) and various other autonomous medical education institutions elsewhere in the state. This was confirmed by Dr BL Sujatha Rathod, director of medical education.
“This increase will help in the upkeep of hospitals and the previous revision was 5-6 years ago. In cases where patients are very poor and can’t afford to pay the bills, the director has the discretion to make it free. This is just a marginal increase. Not all tests and treatments are costlier by 20%. Some blood tests are still free,” Dr Rathod told TOI.
BMCRI officials said charges have been revised for treatments, surgeries, various blood tests, and scans. The increased charges are applicable in hospitals coming under BMCRI’s jurisdiction, including Victoria Hospital, Vani Vilas Hospital, PMSSY Super Specialty Hospital, Minto Eye Hospital, and the Trauma Care Centre.
Dr Ramesh Krishna K, dean and director, BMCRI, told TOI, “The govt covers the expenses for BPL cardholders. Only non-BPL patients might be slightly affected by these changes. The inflow of patients is unlikely to be affected. The ward charges have increased because inpatient charges did not previously include food. Now, we are charging for one day’s food as part of the ward charges.”
BMCRI documents accessed by TOI said: “The charges for the special ward (shared by two patients) have been increased from Rs 750 to Rs 1,000, while the single-bed special ward charges have been raised from Rs 750 to Rs 2,000. General ward charges have increased from Rs 15 to Rs 20. OPD registration charges have doubled from Rs 10 to Rs 20.”
Furthermore, inpatient registration fees have been increased from Rs 25 to Rs 50, and inpatient bed charges, from Rs 30 to Rs 50. Charges for post-mortem, medical examination, injury, and physical fitness certificates have been increased from Rs 250 to Rs 300, while medical board certificates now cost Rs 500, up from Rs 350. Additionally, new charges of Rs 50 have been introduced for diet consultation and Rs 100 for diet-related advice.
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