Maharashtra: ‘25 hospitals made Covid patients pay Rs 1 crore in excess’

THANE: Twenty-five private hospitals in Thane have overcharged Covid patients a total of Rs 1.14cr for treatment, reveals an audit report by Thane Municipal Corporation.
While three hospitals promptly repaid the excess amount, the civic administration has served notices to 22 hospitals, asking them to refund the “excess” to patients, or face action. The 22 hospitals overcharged excess amounts ranging between Rs 50 (the minimum) and up to Rs 29 lakh, said officials.
After patients and their relatives had alleged “overcharging” by hospitals, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena had warned of a protest. The Thane civic body then set up an audit team to ascertain such “excess” bills in which hospitals allegedly deviated from treatment protocol to inflate bills.
Dr V Deogekar, medical officer for health, was unavailable for comment. Officials confirmed that notices have been issued to hospitals, and they have been told to inform the civic body of refunds.