Private hospitals will have to disclose the cost of ICU and ventilator services in advance
The central government has taken strict measures to curb arbitrary practices and exorbitant billing in private hospitals in the name of treatment. Under the new guidelines, hospitals will now have to inform patients’ families of the complete cost of ICU and ventilator treatment in advance. Obtaining written prior consent (informed consent) from the family before starting ventilator treatment will be mandatory. The government’s main objective is to curb the unethical and unnecessary use of life-saving equipment like ventilators. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued “Guidelines for Transparency in Ventilator Use in Private Hospitals.”
According to medicalbuyer, a senior DGHS official said that the government aims to restore public trust in the private healthcare system. He clarified that treatment for critically ill patients should be a medical challenge, not a cause of financial ruin. Now, the records of every patient who remains on a ventilator for more than 14 days will be subject to government scrutiny.
Key Pillars of the New Guidelines:
-The government has based the new rules on the principles of bioethics. Hospitals will now have to adhere to the following regulations:
-Clear and Informed Consent: Before initiating ventilation, family members must be informed in detail about the need for treatment, the risks involved, and the potential outcomes.
-Disclosure of Daily Costs: The estimated daily cost of ventilator and ICU care must be disclosed to the family beforehand so that they can make financial arrangements.
-Uniform Fee Structure: The charges for ventilators will be uniform across all departments of the hospital. The cost of consumables (filters, circuits, etc.) must be stated separately.
-Public Display: It is mandatory to clearly display all charges at the hospital’s billing counter, outside the ICU, and on the hospital’s website.
-Usage-Based Billing: Hospitals will only be able to charge for the time the ventilator is actually in use. Billing will not be permitted for standby or idle time.
-Time-Limited Trial (48-72 hours): For patients with uncertain prognoses, a 48 to 72-hour trial period will be given, after which a review will be conducted to determine whether to continue treatment.
-Special Monitoring After 14 Days: If a patient remains on a ventilator for more than 14 days, a multidisciplinary committee will review the case, and the hospital will be required to conduct an internal audit.
