Call for Transparency in Medical Billing to Curb Exploitation

BJP MP K Laxman raised concerns about exploitative practices by private hospitals, urging the government to ensure transparent medical billing. Highlighting unnecessary tests, prolonged stays, and opaque billing, he stressed the importance of transparency. This would alleviate financial burdens on families and ensure affordable healthcare.

In a plea for reform, BJP MP K Laxman addressed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, urging the government to ensure transparent and standardised medical billing, highlighting the exploitation by private hospitals. The absence of clear norms, he argued, pushes families into financial distress due to unfair medical practices.

Laxman spotlighted disturbing trends like unnecessary diagnostic tests, prolonged hospital stays, and opaque billing processes reported by patients and consumer bodies. Private hospitals, he noted, often charge between Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 for outpatient department services, which are not covered by schemes like Ayushman Bharat.

Emphasizing the necessity of a transparent billing framework, Laxman called for government action to establish standardized protocols and a robust regulatory system, linking these efforts to the aim of achieving a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 with a healthier workforce.

(With inputs from agencies.)