What's your fee, doc? "Well, it's displayed outside". Like most patients, that's the answer the state health department would love to hear from doctors. But only very few do so.
The department is considering making certain amendments to the Clinical Establishment Act, 2010, that will make it compulsory for all doctors in the state to display their consultation fees and other charges outside clinics.
If it comes into effect, the amendment will cover doctors from all streams – allopathy, ayurveda and homeopathy. There are more than a lakh of doctors in the state. The state has been trying to implement the Act for the last two years. Predictably, it attracted stiff resistance from the medical fraternity.
The community's argument varies from "why only doctors are singled out?" to "what difference will it make to a patient's life?"
It will, patients say, make a big difference to the their financial health. Explains Rahul Ugale from Goregaon, "In my locality, there are doctors who display their fees and those who do not. The result is that you've different doctors charging different rates for the same disease in the same area."
The state has now set up a panel, headed by Dr Kishor Taori, chairman of the state's medical council, to review the Act.
The idea, however, doesn't look fascinating for those like Dr Anil Pachnekar, Dean, Indian Medical Association (National). "We don't know what they are trying to prove. We will express our concern to the committee," he said.
Director of state health services, Satish Pawar, has an answer. "We are not concerned about how much they charge, but patients should know that before consultation. This will help them get an idea about their bills," he said.
There are some corporate hospitals which do so while admitting patients. Some small clinics also do, but they are far and few between.Another voice that's against the move is that of Dr Shashank Shah, president, Obesity Surgery Society of India: "We perform different surgeries and it's not feasible to display all charges. What will change in a patient's life if we display the fees?"
Pawar says the amendment will be made only if the expert committee seems it's needed. But Dr Pachnekar is not convinced. "Why is the government not asking chartered accountants and lawyers also to follow suit?
That's point to ponder. Currently, Super speciality doctors consultancy charges started from Rs 1200 – RS 3500 various places in south Mumbai. One of the cardiac-surgeon from south Mumbai charge Rs 5000. Some of the places consultancy charges depends upon the doctors they don't have standard rates. Medical procedure charges also depend upon patient admitted in which hospital or nursing home.
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