Karnataka govt issues notice to Apollo Hospitals for overcharging for Coronavirus test

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Monday issued a notice to Apollo Hospitals for allegedly overcharging for a Covid-19 test in Bengaluru.

The director of the National Health Mission in Karnataka issued a notice to Apollo Hospitals in Seshadripuram for violating Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines on testing costs.

"With reference to the above subject, the total cost of Covid-19 testing per patient should not exceed ₹4,500. But it is seen that, in the bill raised by your hospital dated 25 June, 2020 an amount of ₹6,000 is charged," the NHM said in its notice.

The notification expressed that the medical clinic needs to give a clarification in two days or face activity according to rules. 

The notification comes when there have been a few contrasts springing up between private emergency clinics and the legislature over treatment of Covid-19 patients. 

Clinical training pastor K.Sudhakar on Sunday cautioned private emergency clinics of severe



legitimate activity on the off chance that they wouldn't concede any patient.

The government had issued notices to 18 private hospitals that refused to admit a 52-year-old patient over two days ( 27 and 28 June) who later died.

Even though the state government has released a list of private hospitals that are mandated to set aside 50% of beds for Covid-19 treatment, many are yet to implement this.

"Private hospitals had to allot 2,734 beds but only 116 beds have been provided," Sudhakar said in a statement on Sunday.

The notice to Apollo Hospitals may add to the friction between government and some private hospitals who are not happy with the cap on prices for ovid-19 treatment.

"We have already initiated the refund process and the rates have been revised as per government guidelines. Apollo Hospitals has always strictly followed the guidelines issued by ICMR and the state health department and will continue to do so," the hospital said in a statement on Monday.