Hospital Charges COVID-19 Patient Rs 12.20 lakh, Govt Cancels Its Permission

Tamil Nadu : The Tamil Nadu government temporarily cancelled the authorisation of Be Well Hospital in Chennai’s Kilpauk to treat COVID-19 patients as the private facility was found charging more than the tariff fixed by the state. The hospital charged Rs 12.20 lakh from a COVID-19 patient for 19 days despite the cap fixed by the government. The private hospital also did not provide special medicines as per the government protocol for treating the patients.

A press release issued by Tamil Nadu Health Minister C Vijayabaskar on Saturday said that a surprise inspection revealed that the Be Well Hospital in Kilpauk charged Rs 12,20,000 for treating a COVID-19 patient for 19 days. The private hospital also did not provide medicines for COVID-19 patients, as prescribed by the government, it stated.

It was on these grounds that the Tamil Nadu government temporarily cancelled the authorisation to treat COVID-19 patients at the hospital. The government also reiterated that the state would take action if private hospitals are found to overcharging for COVID-19 treatment.