The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked all states and union territories to ensure that hospitals and clinical establishments display their service charges prominently and clearly. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava wrote to the Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs calling for compliance with transparency rules that require healthcare providers to show what they charge patients.
The move aims to help patients understand the cost of treatment before they receive care, make better informed decisions about where to seek treatment, and reduce billing disputes and confusion.
Key facts
- Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava issued the directive to Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs
- The requirement is based on the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010
- The Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012 provide the regulatory framework
- Rates must be displayed in local language as well as English
- Display must be at conspicuous, clearly visible and easily accessible locations
- The directive also covers package rates for international patients on Medical and Ayush Visas
What the rules require
Under the Clinical Establishments Act and Rules, hospitals, nursing homes and diagnostic centres where the Act applies must display the charges for each type of service and facility they offer. This display must be in a prominent place where patients and attendants can easily see it, using both the local language and English.
In states and UTs where the Central Act does not apply, clinical establishments are regulated under their own state or UT laws. Many of these local laws also require the display of healthcare service rates.
Why transparency matters
The Health Ministry notes that clear display of rates helps patients understand what treatment will cost before they commit to seeking care at a particular facility. This allows families to plan their medical spending and make choices based on accurate information. Transparent pricing also reduces misunderstandings and disputes over billing, which are a common source of friction between patients and hospitals. The ministry believes that when patients know costs upfront and find that bills match the displayed rates, it builds trust in the healthcare system.
International patients and medical tourism
The directive gives special attention to foreign visitors coming to India for medical treatment or Ayush (traditional medicine) services on Medical Visas or Ayush Visas. States and UTs are asked to encourage hospitals to display package rates for international patients in prominent places. This helps foreign patients understand pricing, reduces billing complaints, and strengthens India’s reputation as a reliable destination for medical tourism.
How it will be implemented
Since healthcare is a state subject under the Indian Constitution, the actual enforcement of these rules is the responsibility of state and UT governments, not the central ministry. The Health Secretary has asked Chief Secretaries to review how well their existing rules are being followed and to issue orders to hospitals and clinical establishments ensuring they display rates properly. The Secretary has also requested that rates be shown at locations that are easy to spot and access for patients and their families.
What this means for you
If you are a patient or a family member seeking medical care, you should now be able to find displayed rates at the entrance, reception area or other conspicuous places in hospitals and clinics. Before treatment, you can check what the facility charges for the services you need. If you are an international patient coming to India for medical treatment, you should be able to see package rates that apply to you. If a bill you receive differs significantly from displayed rates, you have clearer grounds to question the charges.
For hospitals and clinics, this is a reminder to comply with existing rules that many may not have been following strictly. They must ensure rates are visible and up to date, and made available in both local and English languages.
What happens next
The Union Health Secretary has sought the personal attention of Chief Secretaries and asked them to issue advisories to relevant authorities and clinical establishments. States and UTs are expected to review compliance with their applicable regulations and take necessary action to ensure rates are displayed properly at all clinical establishments under their jurisdiction.