West Bengal caps medical test charges for private labs, hospitals

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2021-07-03T10:00:00+05:30 | Updated On 3 July 2021 10:00 AM IST

West Bengal caps medical test charges for private labs, hospitals

Kolkata: Through a recent order, the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) has capped the charges for 5 radiological tests and 15 pathological tests to put a check on very high and irrational rates.

The order to this effect was passed by the health panel in wake of complaints of high investigation charges, especially from Covid-19 patients throughout the pandemic.

With the latest price fixation, the rates of radiological tests have been capped in the range of Rs 400 to Rs 11000, while the charges for pathological tests will now range between Rs 450 to Rs 4000.

It has been further made mandatory for all private hospitals with more than 150 beds to follow rates fixed.

As per the order, "This capping of the rates will be applicable to the CEs having more than 150 sanctioned beds with the condition that such hospital will not enhance the rates immediately if the present rates being charged by them are lower than the rates suggested above as the purpose of this order is to rationalize and lower the high charges."

Also Read:WBCERC directs two private hospitals to refund excessive bill amount to patients

"West Bengal Clinical Establishment (Registration, Regulation, and Transparency) Act 2017 entrusts the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission to fix up rates and charges in connection with the treatment of indoor and outdoor patients under Section 38 of the said Act as part of its Regulatory Authority. It had been under consideration of the Commission to give a cap to rates for various common radiological and pathological tests to put a check on very high and irrational rates," the order stated.

Accordingly, the commission formed two Expert Committees of eminent medical professionals to deliberate on the issue and suggest reasonable rates for radiological and pathological tests after which the following rates were suggested by two Expert Committees. "We had sought inputs from two committees to decide on the reasonable charges for these tests. Even as we had shared the charges with some big hospitals, some said they needed a formal order. Now, with this order all have to abide by this rate," WBCERC chairman Justice (retired) Ashim Kumar Banerjee told Times of India.

The details of the charges read as,

The rates have already been shared by the Commission with some of the big CEs (Clinical Establishments) during the course of disposal of complaints as guidance to them and the above chart is already in vogue in some of these CEs. Now it has been decided by the Commission to give a formal effect to the above radiological and pathological rates.

However, the price cap has not gone down well with many private hospitals and they questioned the unilateral price cap for all the patients. "Why would the charge be applicable to corporate patients staying in a single cabin or a deluxe room? We request the commission to reconsider this order by defining the patient type on whom these charges are applicable," Peerless CEO Sudipta Mitra told TOI.

"Capping of rates, especially for a premier hospital, works against the principle of cross-subsidization," stated Rupali Basu, managing director, Woodlands Multispecialty Hospital.

Meanwhile, the President of the Association of Hospitals of Eastern India, Rupak Barua added, "Labs in private hospitals run 24x7, unlike diagnostic centres. So manpower and maintenance, including quality control cost, is much higher."

West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory CommissionWBCERCprice capradiologicalpathologicalprivate hospitalsClinical Exhtablishmentscovid testcovid test rates

Source : with inputs

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.