Health panel says private hosps can’t charge registration fee more than once
Times of India | 8 November 2024
Kolkata: The West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) has instructed private hospitals to refrain from charging a patient registration fee along with their outdoor consultation (OPD) charges more than once. Several hospitals charge Rs 200-Rs 250 for every OPD consultation, though some forego it for repeat consultations within six months or a year. Responding to a complaint, WBCERC said on Wednesday that the registration fee should be a ‘one-time' charge and can't be levied for consultations even beyond six months or a year.
"It is wrong to charge a registration fee more than once. We received a complaint against Nightingale Hospital that charged Rs 250 as registration fee from a patient even for a second consultation. Responding to the complaint, the hospital said they charged it as maintenance cost for hygiene, toilets and wheelchairs for patients, which is not acceptable. We, however, believe that the hospital can charge it as a one-time fee for maintaining patient records," said Justice (Retired) Asim Kumar Banerjee, chairperson of WBCERC.
Association of Hospitals of Eastern India (AHEI) president Rupak Barua said hospitals have been urged to make it a one-time charge. "Most don't repeat the charge, which is what it should be. Hospitals do need to maintain patients' records, and a unique ID is created for each patient. The records have to be preserved for a long time for reference, which involves a cost that has to be recovered. But charging it every time is a bad practice," said Barua, also the CEO of Woodlands Hospital, which charges the fee just once in a lifetime for patients.
Some hospitals lauded the move, saying it was indeed an ‘unfair hidden charge'. "Hospitals claim a share of the OPD fee in any case, which is meant to be the maintenance charge. It is never less than one-third of the amount charged, so an additional charge is unethical and a burden on patients. We never charge it," said Peerless Hospital CEO Sudipta Mitra.
Prashant Sharma, chairman of the Indian Chamber of Commerce health wing and managing director of Charnock Hospital, said, "The registration fee is charged for the first consultation. Subsequent visits do not attract this charge. Similarly, review visits to OPD within a short time also do not attract the same at Charnock."
Manipal Hospitals, too, charge a one-time registration fee. "It's never repeated, and it has always been like that for us," said Ayanabh DebGupta, regional chief operating officer, Manipal Hospitals East.
Desun Hospital, which charges a ‘regular registration fee on an annual basis, only once per year', welcomed the move. " This move will significantly alleviate the financial burden on patients seeking ongoing care," said Shaoli Dutta, director of Desun Hospitals Group.
Some doctors said they have been requesting their hospitals to waive the charge from the second visit. "It is a burden on patients who need frequent follow-up consultations. I often forego my fees for such patients but they still have to pay the registration charge, which is unfortunate," said a private hospital doctor.