NAVI MUMBAI: A Nerul based housewife has complained against Apollo hospital for reportedly issuing a steep medical expenses bill of Rs 1.81 lakh for the emergency treatment of her 64-year-old husband.
The aggrieved woman, Kalpana Khandarkar, said on Friday, "My husband Ajay Khandarkar had to be rushed to Apollo hospital in Belapur on the night of September 1 for a serious liver issue. The doctors had told me that they will keep the patient at the hospital for observation. I was told that the bill will come to around Rs 1.10 lakh for keeping him there for two days. Hence, I was shocked when on Thursday, the hospital administration asked me to pay Rs 1.81 lakh for the patient's discharge."
Khandarkar has already submitted a copy of her complaint letter to the Navi Mumbai police, and has also contacted the civic body in order to find a solution to the issue. "I had sold my gold ornaments to raise the amount of Rs 1.10 lakh for the hospital. But, I am unable to pay Rs 70,000 extra that they are charging. I hope that the authorities do something about this problem," she added.
When contacted, the senior manager of Apollo hospital, Dr K Shingote, said: ``I am not fully aware about this particular case, but our management will never overcharge any patient. If the medical bill has been issued for Rs 1.81 lakh, then there has to be a proper reason for it. We can again talk to the patient's family and explain to them the bill procedure.''
However, RTI activist Anarjit Chauhan commented: "After learning about this case, I feel that it is a violation of the Constitution's Article 21 (on life and personal liberty) to detain patient over non-payment of bill. NMMC must look into this issue, because keeping an old person at a hospital for a longer time will also expose him to the Covid risk.''
The additional municipal commissioner, Sujata Dhole, said: ``We will have to inquire with both the parties involved in this case, and then take a decision. Till now, our civic committee has sent notices to 10 city hospitals for inflated bills issued to covid patients.''
The aggrieved woman, Kalpana Khandarkar, said on Friday, "My husband Ajay Khandarkar had to be rushed to Apollo hospital in Belapur on the night of September 1 for a serious liver issue. The doctors had told me that they will keep the patient at the hospital for observation. I was told that the bill will come to around Rs 1.10 lakh for keeping him there for two days. Hence, I was shocked when on Thursday, the hospital administration asked me to pay Rs 1.81 lakh for the patient's discharge."
Khandarkar has already submitted a copy of her complaint letter to the Navi Mumbai police, and has also contacted the civic body in order to find a solution to the issue. "I had sold my gold ornaments to raise the amount of Rs 1.10 lakh for the hospital. But, I am unable to pay Rs 70,000 extra that they are charging. I hope that the authorities do something about this problem," she added.
When contacted, the senior manager of Apollo hospital, Dr K Shingote, said: ``I am not fully aware about this particular case, but our management will never overcharge any patient. If the medical bill has been issued for Rs 1.81 lakh, then there has to be a proper reason for it. We can again talk to the patient's family and explain to them the bill procedure.''
However, RTI activist Anarjit Chauhan commented: "After learning about this case, I feel that it is a violation of the Constitution's Article 21 (on life and personal liberty) to detain patient over non-payment of bill. NMMC must look into this issue, because keeping an old person at a hospital for a longer time will also expose him to the Covid risk.''
The additional municipal commissioner, Sujata Dhole, said: ``We will have to inquire with both the parties involved in this case, and then take a decision. Till now, our civic committee has sent notices to 10 city hospitals for inflated bills issued to covid patients.''
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