Thursday 28 Mar 2024

Govt makes marginal change in rate cap

REDUCTION MINIMAL, BUT INCLUDES ADDITIONAL MEDICATIONS, SERVICES

THE GOAN NETWORK | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020, 12:56 AM IST

PANAJI

The State government on Tuesday issued an order affecting a reduction of Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 in the cap on rates for Covid treatment at private hospitals in the state. The infinitesimal decrease, however, is accompanied by significant enhancements in the packages which include advanced medications as well as medical procedures.

Health Minister on Tuesday announced that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has approved the file for revision of cap on rates for Covid treatment in the private sector.

During the last week, CM as well as the health minister had said that the numerous representations received from concerned citizens and Opposition parties voicing dissatisfaction with the high cap on rates had prompted the government to revise the rates further. The government had initially announced a cap on Covid treatment rates at private hospitals on September 15.

Accordingly, the charges for general Covid ward in the private medical sector will now be capped at Rs 10,000 for general Covid ward per day, twin sharing Covid wards at Rs 13,000 per day, single private rooms at Rs 16,000 per day and ICU with ventilator occupancy capped at Rs 24,000 per day. The rates have been reduced by Rs 2,000 per package except for the ICU with ventilator bracket, which has been reduced by Rs 1,000.

The packages will include admission charges, intensivist, primary and specialist consultant charges, bed charges, nursing and resident doctor charges, nutritional diet, PPE kits for staff, X-ray, electrocardiogram, ultrasonography, 2D echocardiogram monitor, infusion pump, catheterization, Complete Blood Count, Post Prandial Blood Sugar Level, haemoglobin A1c, creatinine zinc, vitamin D, paracetamol, antacid, antiallergic, hydroxichloroquine, azithromycin, doxycycline, levoflaxin, dexamthasone, ivermectin and dietary changes. 

However, the packages will continue to exclude the charges for diagnostic interventions, special drugs, use of special equipment, other special procedures including surgery and extra oxygen flow other than ICU.

In comparison with the previous packages, the inclusion of X-ray, ECG, USG,2D echocardiogram monitor, infusion pump, catheterization, CBC, PPBSL and HBA1c services as well as charges of also, specialist or intensivist charges are a new addition appears to be the real additions to the revised packages. 

Speaking to media following a meeting at the CM’s official residence in Altinho in Panaji, health minister stated, “More than the revision of rates, we have focussed on including more medications and services under the package to benefit the patients.”

He further disclosed that the discussion at the CM’s residence also revolved around the convergence of insurance scheme while hinting that the government is working on bringing Covid-19 treatment at private hospitals under the umbrella of its flagship health insurance scheme, the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY). The move is expected to ease the financial burden on the citizens.

Offering a quick glance at the overall Covid-19 situation in the State, Rane stated, “There will always be a problem for beds. We have 227 patients admitted at GMC. We have around 100 packs of plasma in the plasma bank. There are around 270 ventilators with the government and 10 to 15 High Flow Nasal Oxygen (HFNO) machines have been received. About 100 more will arrive soon.”


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