India mandates hospitals display clear service charges
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked every State and Union Territory to make sure that medical facilities clearly exhibit the charges for their services and amenities, enabling patients to choose treatment with full awareness. In a correspondence addressed to the Chief Secretaries across all States and UTs, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava urged a review of adherence to relevant regulations and the adoption of steps to guarantee that cost information is prominently displayed and readily reachable for patients and their caregivers.
The Secretary emphasized that visible pricing would allow patients and their families to gauge expected treatment expenses and budget their health spending. Such transparency is also expected to reduce unnecessary misunderstandings and billing disputes, thereby supporting confidence in the health-care system. The communication cites the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 and the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012. According to these rules, institutions in jurisdictions where the Act is in force must post the fees for each service and the available facilities in a noticeable area, using both the regional language and English.
In regions where the Act does not apply, hospitals and clinics operate under the respective State or UT regulatory schemes, many of which also contain clauses mandating price disclosure. Acknowledging that health matters fall under State jurisdiction and that enforcement lies with State and UT authorities, the Health Secretary requested the Chief Secretaries to secure effective compliance through the appropriate bodies.
States and UTs have also been asked, where feasible, to highlight package pricing for overseas patients arriving on Medical or Ayush visas. This measure aims to assist international visitors in making well-informed choices, lower price-related complaints, and reinforce India’s reputation as a reliable hub for medical and Ayush services. The Health Secretary appealed directly to the Chief Secretaries, urging them to issue suitable directives to the relevant agencies and health providers, ensuring that fee information is placed in conspicuous, clearly visible and easily accessible spots, in accordance with the governing rules.
