15, Cashless mediclaim policy: Pvt hospitals seek government help.
Published: 08/06/2010
The association of private hospitals have sought state government’s intervention to settle the ongoing dispute with insurance companies over cashless mediclaim policy.
The association, which includes hospitals like Jalok, Breach Candy, Hinduja and Hurkisondas, has said that the demands of uniform rates for medical procedures that had been put forth by insurance firms were not plausible. “Rates differ according to available equipment and location of hospitals. Even within hospitals, rates vary according to the class of service patients opt for,” said CEO of Jaslok Hospital Colonel Manesh Masand. He added that costs also vary for different procedures for the same ailment. “Cancer can be treated by focused MRI and through surgery, at exponentially different costs. The choice of treatment is finally up to the patient,” said Colonel Masand.
“Government intervention is required here. Petrol is being made duty free, whereas hospitals have to pay the highest custom duties for all imported equipment. It is important to understand that our costs are determined by all these factors,” said Breach Candy Hospital CEO Major General Vijay Krishna.
