The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has urged all States and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure that clinical establishments prominently display the rates charged for their services and facilities.
The initiative aims to improve transparency and accountability in healthcare delivery, prevent billing-related disputes and empower patients to make informed healthcare decisions.
In a letter to the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava called for a review of compliance with applicable regulatory provisions and appropriate measures to ensure that information on healthcare service charges is clearly visible and easily accessible to patients and their attendants.
Srivastava noted that the conspicuous display of rates would help patients and their families understand the likely cost of treatment, make informed healthcare decisions and plan their medical expenditure.
Health Secretary added that transparency in healthcare pricing would help minimise avoidable confusion and billing-related disputes, while fostering trust and confidence in the healthcare delivery system.
The letter refers to the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, and the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012, which provide a regulatory framework for clinical establishments.
Under the Rules, clinical establishments in States and UTs where the Act is applicable are required to display the rates charged for each type of service provided and the facilities available at a conspicuous place. The information must be displayed in both the local language and English for the benefit of patients and their attendants.
In States and UTs where the Act is not applicable, clinical establishments are regulated under the respective State and UT frameworks, several of which also contain provisions for displaying healthcare service and facility rates.
Recognising that health is a State subject and that the implementation and enforcement of applicable regulations fall under the respective States and UTs, Srivastava has urged Chief Secretaries to ensure effective compliance through the authorities concerned.
Focus on International Patients
The letter also highlights the importance of transparent healthcare pricing for international patients. States and UTs have been requested to encourage the prominent display, wherever applicable, of package rates offered to foreign patients travelling to India on Medical or Ayush Visas.
According to the Ministry, this would help international patients make informed choices, reduce pricing and billing-related grievances, and strengthen India’s position as a trusted destination for medical and Ayush care.
The Health Secretary has sought the personal attention of the Chief Secretaries and requested them to issue appropriate advisories to the relevant authorities and clinical establishments for necessary action. This includes ensuring that rates are displayed in conspicuous, clearly visible and easily accessible locations, in accordance with applicable regulations.
