The six-member committee of private hospitals across Kolkata will submit a draft proposal for revision of Swasthya Sathi rates to the state on Wednesday has decided to seek segregation of charges for medical management of patients that are now fixed at Rs 1,500 for non-critical patients and Rs 3,000 for ICU beds under the scheme.

They have, instead, asked for a split between bed charges, investigation expenses, and doctors’ fees to make the scheme sustainable. A rationalization of the package rates under the scheme will also be proposed.

Members of the committee include the heads of Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Fortis Hospital, RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS), AMRI, and Belle Vue Clinic.

The proposals will follow the West Bengal Health Scheme (WBHS) pattern. “We are ready to follow the government’s instructions on keeping the charges low. If necessary, we will rationalize the use of medicines, consumables and make sure that the doctors’ fees, too, are kept low and reasonable. But to make it viable for us and to ensure that the quality of treatment doesn’t suffer, we must stick to a basic minimum charge. Under the existing scheme, it’s not possible,” said AMRI Hospital CEO Rupak Barua who is a member of the committee.

He added that while the package rates prescribed for surgical cases and other procedures have charges under various heads, they, too, need an upward revision.

“Existing rates are about one-third of our usual charges. A 10% increase will make it barely implementable, given our operating structure and costs. If it’s turned down then there could be refusals which the existing Swasthya Sathi patients have faced,” said a private hospital head. The Association of Hospitals of Eastern India earlier proposed a ceiling for Swasthya Sathi patients to the government. This is necessary to make it feasible for hospitals and ensure that none is refused, said Barua who is also the AHEI president.

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