FAQ: What Is The Price Cap on COVID Beds in Delhi’s Pvt Hospitals?

Here’s all you need to know about price cap on private hospital beds in Delhi.

Image used for representational purposes.

(Photo: AP)

Delhi has the third highest number of cases in the country with approximately 60,000 cases. This is likely to jump to 1,00,000 by June-end and 5,50,000 by end of July, according to estimates by the Delhi government.

Here’s all you need to know about the price cap and reservation of private hospital beds in Delhi.

Is there reservation for coronavirus patients in Delhi’s private hospitals?

Yes. The Delhi government has asked private hospitals to reserve 40 percent of their beds for COVID patients as of 21 June, reported news agency PTI, quoting a statement from the Arvind Kejriwal government.

Earlier, on 25 May, the Delhi government has ordered 117 hospitals across the national capital with more than 50 beds to reserve 20 percent of their bed-strength for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

What is the price cap for COVID-19 beds in Delhi’s private hospitals?

A committee under NITI Aayog member VK Paul on 19 June recommended the following as fixed rates to be charged by private hospitals treating coronavirus patients.

Committee has recommended the following rates, which will be inclusive of PPE kits.

• Rs 8,000 -10,000 for isolation beds as opposed to Rs 13,000 - Rs 15,000
• Rs 13,000 -15,000 for ICUs without ventilator as opposed to Rs 34,000 - Rs 43,000
• Rs 15,000 -18,000 for ICUs with ventilator as opposed to Rs 44,000 - Rs 55,000

Are these subsidised rates applicable for all COVID beds in a hospital?

“The rates approved by the committee would be applicable to all COVID beds up to the upper limit of 60 percent of total bed capacity of the private hospitals,” the Delhi government has said.

To break it down, if the hospital has reserved say 40 percent of beds, as per Delhi government’s order, then all the beds will be charged at subsidised rates. This is because the 40 percent of beds fall within the upper limit of 60 percent.

Take another example. If a private hospital has 1000 beds and it decides to reserve 50 percent for COVID patients, then all 500 beds will be provided at subsidised rates.

What happens if the hospital has reserved more than 60 percent of beds for COVID patients?

As per Delhi government’s order only 60% of total beds of private hospital will be given at a capped price. The remaining 40% will be provided at a regular price, even if the private hospital is 100% reserved for the treatment of the virus.

How will the hospital decide who benefits from the subsidised rates?

There is no clarity on this yet as neither the Delhi government, nor the private hospitals have issued a clarification. However, The Quint reached out to Max Hospital, whose Saket branch is completely reserved for COVID patients. This is what they said:

“At Max Smart Hospital, Saket, we are working out a system to classify the various categories of beds where government-mandated pricing will apply and where the regular hospital charges will apply. We will be informing the authorities about this as soon as this is firmed up.”

How will I know if a COVID bed is available in a private hospital or not?

For information on vacant beds in any private hospital in the city, you can download Delhi Corona mobile app or visit www.delhifightscorona.in/beds.

What made the Delhi government and Centre fix a price cap?

While the other three states with highest caseload – Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat – had announced price cap on treatment of coronavirus patients, Delhi had still not announced one till 18 June.

The 25 May order by the Delhi government calling for reservation for COVID-19 patients in 117 hospitals, said that the “hospital will be allowed to bill patients as per their rates.”

However, following the outrage on social media over the exorbitant prices in private hospitals, the Delhi government asked all hospitals to share the rates that they are charging for COVID-19 treatments.

On 9 June, the AAP government asked all private hospitals to display full rate list of treatment for coronavirus, including lab tests, isolation beds, etc.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said that the government will observe the rates and come to a conclusion.

Meanwhile, hearing a PIL on 12 June, the Delhi High Court refused to give directions to prevent overcharging by private hospitals and refusal of treatment due to lack of funds. The HC bench asked the litigant to approach the Delhi government.

Who is eligible to be admitted to the hospital in Delhi?

• Only people with moderate and severe symptoms are eligible for hospital admission
• The asymptomatic patients and those with mild symptoms can home quarantine themselves

What if the hospital has COVID bed but refuses to admit the patient?

If a hospital refuses a bed even though the app shows there are vacant beds, you can call 1031 to file a complaint.

I have mild symptoms of COVID-19 but I do not have enough space for home quarantine. Will I get a hospital bed?

If a person does not have enough space at their home to observe quarantine, they shall be transferred to COVID Care Centre – or CCC – by the respective hospital after basic counselling.