Almost 50 private hospitals in Anekal taluk, which is on the south-eastern borders of the Bengaluru city had decided not to admit coronavirus patients anymore. They mentioned that due to financial distress, there is delay in reimbursement for treatment provided to COVID-19 patients who are referred by the state government.

The hospitals, coming under the guidance of Anekal Hospitals’ Association, said that they have given 50% of their beds for coronavirus patients who are referred by the government however their bills are not yet cleared. The hospitals’ bed strength is 15 to 300.

The association will hold a meeting on Thursday to decide the plan of action and also submit a memorandum to the government. Dr Jagadish Hiremath, CEO, Ace Suhas Hospital, also a member of the association, said that they have treated more than 50 COVID-19 patients who were referred by the government but they did not receiveRs 20 lakh in reimbursement.

Athreya Hospital in Chandapura is also waiting for Rs 18 lakh reimbursement towards 22 COVID-19 patients who are being treated till now. The hospital has decided not to take any more cases referred by the government. Dr Narayana Swamy, head of the hospital, said that there is no clarity regarding payment of the bills for patients who are referred by primary health centres and tahsildars. He said that they have treated six patients and neither patients nor the government have done the payment. The health department has said that no payment would be done for these patients as they were not referred by BBMP, despite patients having Bangaluru Urban district patient IDs during the time of admission. The district health officer said that he does not handle finances and the tahsildarstated that his office can’t pay.

Big hospitals in Anekal taluk such as Narayana Health City and Oxford Medical College said that they would continue to treat patients who are referred by the authorities.

Source: ET Healthworld