Maha govt caps Mucormycosis treatment rate in pvt hospitals

Over 5,000 black fungus cases in Maharashtra State classifies cities & hospital charges

Days after it cracked the whip on private hospitals, prohibiting them from exorbitantly charging COVID-19 patients, the Maharashtra government has now issued a notification capping daily hospital rates charged to treat mucormycosis or Black Fungus patients. The government has swung into action to regulate the rates when the mucormycosis cases have crossed the 5,000-mark in the state.

According to the government notification, the rates have been fixed with the classification of cities as Class A, B and C. Class A includes, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (excluding Bhiwandi and Vasai-Virar), Pune, Nagpur (Nagpur municipal Corporation, Digdoh and Wadi). Class B includes Nasik, Amaravati, Aurangabad, Bhiwandi, Solapur, Kolhapur, VasaiVirar, Malegaon, Nanded and Sangli while class C includes the rest of the area.

The maximum hospital charges for the ward and isolation are fixed at Rs 4,000 and Rs 3,000 for class A and B, respectively and Rs 2,400 for class C. The charges for ICU without ventilator have been fixed at Rs 7,500 and Rs 5,500 for class A and B while Rs 4,500 is a maximum limit for class C. Charges for ICU with ventilator are Rs 9,000 and Rs 6,700 for class A and B respectively and Rs 5,400 for class C.

For surgeries, the minimum charges are fixed around Rs 6,000 in tier three cities, and the amount can rise up to Rs one lakh, depending on the region and the complexity of the treatment, said the notification, which will remain in force till July 31.

The state health department issued a notification to this effect, asking all charitable hospitals registered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 to follow the capped charges while treating mucormycosis patients. The state government has identified 28 types of surgeries for mucormycosis or black fungus.

The notification also asked all the district collectors and municipal commissioners to appoint auditors in hospitals to issue a pre-audited bill to mucormycosis patients and their relatives. If excess charging is found, the amount will have to be reimbursed to the patient, the notification said.