Indian states mandate hospital transparency for pricing and ICU beds

Indian states Maharashtra and West Bengal have issued new directives to healthcare facilities to increase transparency regarding costs and critical care availability.

In Maharashtra, Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced that all private hospitals must display service charge rate lists in both Marathi and English. These lists must be placed in prominent areas, such as entrances and reception counters, to ensure patients can review medical expenses before treatment. This move follows guidance from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to improve billing clarity and assist international patients.

In West Bengal, the health department has ordered both government and private hospitals to display the availability of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds by category. Following a Supreme Court mandate, beds must be classified into three levels. Level 1 beds will be further divided into those with and without ventilators. The classification criteria include patient space, life-saving equipment, nurse-to-patient ratios, and the availability of doctors.