Lok Sabha Question No. 79 (STARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: Exorbitant Charges by Hospitals
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: P.P. CHAUDHARY, HEMAMALINI

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**LOK SABHA**

**STARRED QUESTION NO. 79**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24** **TH** **JULY, 2015**

**Exorbitant Charges by Hospitals**

**†*79. SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY:**

**SHRIMATI HEMA MALINI:**

Will the Minister of **HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE** be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of private/Government hospitals charging exorbitantly for orthopaedic surgery instruments/implants across the country, if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon, hospital/State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government proposes to regulate the rates of these instruments/ implants and if so, the details of the proposal formulated/being formulated in this regard;

(c) whether any notice has been issued to hospitals in this regard and if so, the details thereof along with the compliance reported by the hospitals, hospital-wise;

(d) whether laboratory tests and surgical procedures such as angioplasty, knee replacement, caesarean section has ever been audited to identify instances of needless tests and procedures that have been prescribed and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the regulatory steps taken/being taken by the Government to reign in corruption in the medical sector?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)**

1. to (e):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House

**STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA**

**STARRED QUESTION NO. 79 FOR 24** **TH** **JULY, 2015**

1. Instances of higher rates being charged for services including orthopaedic surgery instruments/implants, etc. have come to the notice of the Government. Since, health is a State subject, it is the responsibility of the respective State Governments and regulatory councils such as the State Medical Council, etc., to take cognizance of such instances and take action to prevent and control such practices. Details of such cases are not maintained centrally.

1. The medical devices such as stents and orthopaedic implants fall under non-scheduled category under the Drugs Price Control Order, 2013, and as such, no ceiling price has been fixed for these medical devices. However, an increase of more than 10% in the MRP over a period of 12 months is not permitted in the price of medical devices.

1. Details of such cases and action taken thereon are not maintained centrally.

1. & (e) Elaborate provisions have been made under the Clinical Establishments (Registation and Regulation) Act, 2010 and rules there under interalia for fixing the range of rates to be charged for different procedures and services, display of rates at a conspicuous place, maintenance of records and compliance with the Standard Treatment Guidelines. However, the enforcement and monitoring of the Act/Rules is within the remit of the State Governments and details in this regard are not maintained centrally.

Further, the Medical Council of India has issued Indian Medical Council (Professional conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, which contain guidelines for dealing with corrupt practices. Also, while entering into MOUs with private hospitals for empanelment under various Government schemes such as CGHS, CS(MA) Rules, 1944, etc, a provision is invariably made for cancellation of their empanelment in case any instance of overcharging/deficiency in services comes to notice.