Ayushman Bharat, CGHS benchmark rate for cost-effective treatment: Centre to SC

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has proposed guidelines on COVID-19 treatment wherein it has suggested that states can arrive at fair rates, considering Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY or/and CGHS as benchmark rates.

New Delhi:The Centre on Saturday has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court suggesting the certain cost-effective treatment of COVID-19 patients across states so that private hospitals do not overcharge for the treatment.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has proposed guidelines on COVID-19 treatment wherein it has suggested that states can arrive at fair rates, considering Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY or/and CGHS as benchmark rates, in COVID hospitals so that the private hospitals do not overcharge the patients.

The affidavit has come in response to the court's orders where it had directed the government to meet the petitioner who had sought an upper cap for COVID treatment citing exorbitant prices charged by private hospitals.

The court had observed that though the medical cost should not act as a deterrent in getting treatment, its not possible to laydown cost of medical care across the country as different states have different need and requirements.

The bench led by CJI SA Bobde had said that they are not equipped to decide on the issue so they will direct the petitioner and the government to hold a meeting on 16th July and find a solution within a week so that directions can be issued to the states under the Disaster Management Act.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed the apex court that some states have fixed rates for private hospitals.

MoHFW has suggested the states that the determining of cost for private hospitals can be categorised on the basis of hospitals, illness, beds and tier-wise cities.

"The cost ideally should be all inclusive PPE, drugs (generic to rge extent possible), consumables, investigations, procedures, treatment if co-morbidities, diagnostics, patient transportation and referral," read the affidavit.

The treatment should be based on Standard Treatment Protocols and on the rational use of PPEs as issued and circulated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, added the affidavit.

The government has suggested oversight mechanism for monitoring rates and dissemination of rates to the district, sub-district making full use of print and electronic media.

The rates can also be reviewed from time to time in view of the possibility of a reduction in the cost of drugs, consumables and evolving clinical management protocols.