Bengaluru Govt Hospitals Announce Fee Hike: What Are The New Ward And OPD Rates

The hospitals affiliated with the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) in Karnataka, including the state-run Victoria Hospital, Vani Vilas Hospital, Minto Eye Hospital, BMCRI Super Speciality Hospital, and Trauma Care Centre, have announced an increase in charges for ward admissions and other services. This adjustment, effective from November 1, sees the cost for a single-bed special ward escalating to Rs 2,000 per day from the earlier Rs 750. Furthermore, the fee for a twin-sharing special ward has risen to Rs 1,000, marking a significant hike from the previous Rs 750.

Under the new pricing structure, patients opting for single-bed special wards will now face an added 40 percent charge on hospital procedures. Similarly, those staying in twin-sharing wards will encounter a 30 percent surge in the costs associated with such procedures. Despite these changes, the deluxe special ward's daily rate will stay fixed at Rs 3,000, though procedure charges in these wards will see a 6 percent increase. The general ward fee has also been adjusted from Rs 15 to Rs 50 per day.

Furthermore, the BMCRI has updated its registration fees. The outpatient department (OPD) registration fee has now doubled from Rs 10 to Rs 20. For individuals requiring in-patient services, the registration fee has jumped from Rs 25 to Rs 50. Charges for critical care services, including the intensive care unit (ICU), step-down area from the ICU, and post-operative rooms, remain unchanged, priced at Rs 2,000, Rs 1,500, and Rs 500, respectively. Additionally, diet counselling services, which were previously offered at no cost, will now be available for a fee of Rs 100.

The price for obtaining various medical documents has also seen an increment. Patients requiring copies of medical records, post-mortem certificates, medical certificates, physical fitness certificates, and wound certificates will now have to pay Rs 300, up from Rs 250. This decision to revise the charges across various services follows the recommendations from a meeting held on May 23 by the Department of Medical Education.