Hosps follow transparency bill, start displaying rates
Association of Hospitals of Eastern India has slated a meeting for next week, when plans are on to address the need to consider the flexibility of hospital charges, which often leads to rates varying between initial estimates and the actual bill.
The West Bengal Clinical Establishments (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, tabled in the assembly last Monday, states: "Every clinical establishment shall strictly follow the fixed rates and charges....
It shall ensure that intensive care, ventilation, implants, consultation and similar tests and procedures, and any additional treatment or procedure shall not attract additional charges.
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Woodlands Hospital already has an LCD display, listing major charges. "We are expanding the list to meet the bill requirement. We plan to counsel patients' families more elaborately on charges. While we have a system of counselling and display, there could be gaps that can be improved," said Rupak Barua, CEO of Woodlands Multispecialty Hospital and AHEI president.
Barua added opinion would be sought from other hospitals to arrive at a consensus on variable charges, like those under packages that could change during treatment.
"Treatment being a dynamic process, costs might increase, depending on patient's condition. After our internal talks, we will approach the govt with a proposal," he added.
BP Poddar Hospital has displayed the rates of its general beds, critical care, double-bed, single-bed and suites on two screens as well as charges for tests, procedures, implants, package rates and consultation fees.
"We maintain transparency across every stage. Keeping in line with NABH guidelines and govt regulations, we ensure all hospital charges and treatment-related expenses are itemised and communicated to patients and their families.
Our tariffs and charge structures are prominently displayed. We are adding a few more speciality units and we plan to install modern devices that will ease patient convenience about tariffs and rates," said Supriyo Chakrabarty, Group Adviser, B P Poddar Hospital.
Peerless Hospital is waiting for more instructions from the health authorities before displaying charges. "We have a manual display, which must now include a lot more categories. It will be difficult without an electronic screen. We had an interaction with the health authorities and were asked to wait," said Peerless CEO Sudipta Mitra. Charnock Hospital, too, plans to follow soon. "There should be transparency, rates displayed and charged should be the same.
Also, hospital treatment depends on patients' condition, which is dynamic. Pre-admission cost estimates may change during treatment. But pricing and billing should be transparent," said Charnock MD Prashant Sharma, Indian Chamber of Commerce Health Committee chairperson.
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