Karnataka govt fixes COVID-19 treatment rates for private hospitals

The Karnataka government on Tuesday (June 23) announced the treatment package rates for COVID-19, in private hospitals, for those referred by public health facilities will be in the range of ₹5,200 to ₹10,000.

The rate for patients who approach private hospitals directly will be in the range of ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.

State Chief Secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar issued the order based on recommendation of a committee headed by executive director of Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust formed to submit a proposal for fixing the packages rates for treatment of COVID-19 patients.

According to the order, package rates for patients referred by the public health authorities will be ₹5,200 for general ward, ₹7,000 for high-dependency unit (HDU), ₹8,500 for isolation without ventilator and ₹10,000 for isolation with ventilator.

The package rate ceiling for patients directly admitted to private hospitals under the non-insurance category who make cash payments will be ₹10,000 for general ward, ₹12,000 for HDU, ₹15,000 for isolation without ventilator and ₹25,000 for isolation with ventilator.

Related news: Know how much COVID-19 testing, treatment costs in your state

However, these rates would not be applicable for those subscribing to the insurance packages and the patients as per the agreement between the hospital and the corporates for their executives and employees. Also, there will be no ceiling for suites.

As per the order, 50 per cent of the beds in private hospitals having facilities to treat coronavirus cases shall be reserved for the treatment of patients referred by the public health authorities and this will include High Dependency Units and Intensive Care Units, which could be with or without ventilators.

The remaining beds hospitals can use to treat patients privately, the order read.

As per the order, while calculating 50 per cent of the beds to be utilised by government patients, the number will be counted irrespective of the fact that the beds are located in general wards, sharing wards or in private wards.

In respect of unforeseen complications, surgeries, comorbid conditions and pregnancy additional packages under Ayushman Bharat and Arogya Karnataka will be applied.

Regarding patients from below poverty line, above poverty line categories, migrant labourers and inter-state returners who do not possess public distribution system cards should be considered as eligible in view of the unprecedented pandemic.

“There should be no compromise on the quality of medical services rendered to the patients referred by the public health authorities and those admitted privately,” the order said.

For the settlement of claims, the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust will be the nodal agency, the government said.

On Thursday (June 18), Karnataka’s COVID-19 task force put a cap on not just testing fee but also room rent and treatment cost in the state.

Related news: Bengaluru reports spike in COVID-19 cases; CM orders lockdown

As per the decision, the cost of COVID-19 testing in private hospitals will be ₹2,600 for patients referred by a government hospitals. However, people who directly approach a corporate hospital will be charged ₹4,500.

The task force also revealed that a government hospital-referred patient will be charged ₹5,200 per day if admitted to the general ward and the fee will be ₹7,500 per day if oxygen support is required.

The price of an isolation ward is fixed at ₹8,500 per day which will increase to ₹12,000 per day for an ICU with a ventilator.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday said COVID-19 related fatalities in the state was far less compared to other major states, as he called on people and front line corona warriors infected by the virus not to lose courage.

The chief minister made the statement following the alleged suicide of a constable attached with the Karnataka State Reserve Police after he tested positive for COVID-19.

“The total number of COVID related deaths in the state is very less compared to other major states. There is no reason for any infected citizen or government employees to lose courage. The government is always with you,” a tweet on the chief minister’s official twitter handle said.

Of the total of 14,011 deaths reported so far, Maharashtra accounted for the highest with 6,283 fatalities, followed by Delhi with 2,233, Gujarat with 1,684 and Tamil Nadu with 794.

Acknowledging that police form the frontline of corona warriors and were working putting their lives at stake, he said a special COVID testing center is being set up for them and all measures will be taken to provide the best treatment for those infected.

Related news: Karnataka may see 25,000 COVID cases by mid-Aug: War room chief

As of June 22 evening, cumulatively 9,399 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state,which includes 142 deaths and 5,730 discharges.

The constable, aged about 50 years, was attached with the Karnataka State Reserve Police and was said to be depressed after getting tested positive for COVID-19, sources said.

Expressing condolence over his death, another tweet on the Chief Ministers handle said he has directed officials to to provide all necessary compensation and facilities to the family of the deceased at the earliest.

Bengaluru has in the last few days has seen a spike in the number of police personnel getting infected by the virus.

At least 74 of them have tested positive in the city and are undergoing treatment, while three have died so far, official sources said.

(With inputs from agencies)