11 months ago
Patients Seek Inclusion of Consultation and Test Costs in Health Schemes
People with health insurance like Aarogyasri, JHS, and EHS want their plans to cover doctor visits and tests before they are admitted to the hospital.
Right now, the plans only pay for treatment and surgery after admission.
Visiting doctors and getting tests can be very expensive, sometimes costing more than a person's monthly income.
Some are asking the government to help cover these costs.
One person had to pay a lot of money for tests and medicines after a doctor's visit.
Some worry that private hospitals may prescribe tests that aren't needed.
A kidney donor also requested assistance with expenses related to their operation.
The government says current agreements don't include these costs.
Beneficiaries of Aarogyasri, JHS, and EHS appeal for coverage of consultation and diagnostic tests.
Current health schemes cover treatment after hospital admission.
Consultation fees at private hospitals range from ₹500 to ₹1,000.
Patients are burdened by the costs of consultations, investigations, and procedures.
Social activists claim that private hospitals may prescribe unnecessary tests.
- Who
- Beneficiaries of Aarogyasri, JHS, and EHS
- What
- Are appealing to include consultation and diagnostic test costs in health schemes
- Where
- Godavari districts; Kakinada
- When
- Unspecified; ongoing issue.
- Why
- To alleviate the financial burden of pre-admission medical expenses.
Patient Advocates
Government/Healthcare Providers
Cost Burden
Patient Advocates
Patients face high costs for consultations and tests.
Government/Healthcare Providers
Current schemes may not cover these costs.
Unnecessary Tests
Patient Advocates
Some believe private hospitals prescribe unneeded tests.
Government/Healthcare Providers
N/A
Key facts
- Health Schemes Mentioned
- Aarogyasri, JHS, EHS
- Issue
- Patients requesting coverage for consultations and tests
- Consultation Fees (Private Hospitals)
- ₹500 to ₹1,000
- Anonymous Patient Expenses
- ₹650 (consultation), ₹4,500 (blood tests), ₹4,300 (endoscopy), ₹3,500 (colonoscopy), ₹3,500 (medicines)
- Kidney Donor's Expenses
- ₹3 lakh (kidney removal operation)
- Official Stance (NTR Vaidya Seva Trust)
- Consultation and investigation costs not included in the MoU
Quotes
A patient
A patient who wishes to remain anonymous.
“My monthly salary is `18,000. How can I bear such expenses? I appeal to the government to include all costs of consultation and procedural tests under the health schemes and save patients like me.”
deccanchronicle.com
D.N. Ramesh
Social activist
“Both the central and state governments should curb such practices in the interests of people.”
deccanchronicle.com
