Panaji: The directorate of health services (DHS) is likely to issue show-cause notices to two empanelled hospitals for violating terms of the cashless mediclaim scheme, Deen Dayal Swashtya Seva Yojna (DDSSY).Complaints have been received against two outstation hospitals for charging patients more than the price fixed under the scheme for the procedures.As many as 447 procedures are listed under the scheme and as many as 52 hospitals empanelled, nine of them from outside the state.DDSSY, consultant, Dr Balkrisha V Pai said the complaints are being investigated and that on completion, if found guilty, show cause notices issued will be issued against them.Pai said the complaints pertain to the hospitals charging exorbitant fees for a procedure when the patients opt for a room upgrade.The government pays a specific insurance amount for intervention in procedures covered DDSSY. This amount mostly covers the cost of treatment, medicine and ward charges.The scheme allows patients opting for treatment in private hospitals to opt for an upgrade from the hospital ward to a private room provided the difference in charges is borne by the patient themselves. Pai said this is where the mischief occurs.Even if a patient chooses to avail of a private room, he said, he ought to be intimated about the hospital’s charges for the same.To ascertain the facts of the cases, Pai said he will check whether the hospital’s administrations had obtained a consent letter from the patients in question about choosing an upgrade.Pai said they will deal strictly with the violators and could even disempanel any hospital if it is held guilty of violating contract conditions. He added that they have done so in the past.

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