Patient in Delhi not discharged for 48 hours as insurer refuses ‘inflated’ bill

NEW DELHI: Due to a payment dispute between an insurance company and a hospital, a 66-year-old patient was held medical hostage in Saroj Hospital, Rohini for almost 48 hours after the doctors treating her allowed her discharge. This is despite a Delhi High Court ruling that outstanding bills “cannot be a reason to withhold release of a patient”.

Ompati Devi was admitted to Saroj Hospital on October 12 with respiratory difficulty. She tested positive for Covid and, on October 27, as discharge formalities were being completed, the hospital prepared a bill of Rs 5.35 lakh.

In keeping with Delhi government’s directive that its regulated rates for Covid will be applicable even for patients with health insurance, the insurance company, New India Assurance Ltd, pointed out that the bill was hugely inflated. Going by the government rates, the bill would at best be about Rs 2.1 lakh, plus the cost of six Interleukin-6 tests, which are not covered in the Delhi government rates.

Though Ompati Devi’s insurance cover was for Rs 5 lakh, the insurance company refused to pay the inflated charges. After much persuasion, it paid about Rs 4 lakh though protesting against the alleged rampant overcharging. However, the hospital insisted that till the entire amount was paid, it would not discharge the patient. The hospital staff also refused to let any relative meet the patient, according to the family.

“The justification being given by Saroj Hospital regarding the overbilling is that the government package rates are not applicable to us as we are using insurance. The same information has not been provided in writing in spite of our repeated requests,” said Ompati Devi’s son, Rajesh Gupta, in his complaint to various authorities, including Delhi government.

“I have been on leave from work since yesterday. Between the hospital and the insurance company, my mother and I have undergone intense mental torture and harassment. Delhi government’s claims about regulating rates are meaningless as they are not making any effort to enforce the rates. The hospital is getting away with overcharging us by over Rs 2 lakh,” said Gupta.

Despite repeated attempts, there was no response from Dr R N Das, in charge of Delhi nursing home registration cell that regulates hospitals. Dr P K Bhardwaj, chief executive director of Saroj Hospital, said he did not know about the case as he was sick and off duty. “I have asked the billing chief to check and, if correct, rectify, and give me feedback. Please be assured that nothing wrong can be permitted to happen,” he said.

Source: The Times of India