Published Oct 13, 2026 | 1:48 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 13, 2026 | 1:50 PM
The Centre has also called for greater transparency in the pricing of healthcare packages offered to international patients.
Synopsis: The Centre has urged states and Union Territories to ensure hospitals prominently display healthcare service rates in local languages and English. The move aims to help patients make informed treatment decisions, plan medical expenses and avoid billing disputes. States have also been asked to promote transparent pricing for international medical tourists.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has urged states and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure that clinical establishments prominently display the rates for healthcare services and facilities, aiming to improve transparency in treatment costs and reduce billing disputes.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, in a letter to the chief secretaries of all states and UTs, called for a review of compliance with applicable regulations and measures to ensure that patients and their attendants can easily access information regarding treatment costs.
“Transparent and conspicuous display of rates enables patients and their attendants to understand the likely financial implications of treatment, make informed decisions and plan their healthcare expenditure,” Srivastava wrote in the letter dated October 12.
She added that displaying rates could “help minimise avoidable confusion and billing-related disputes” and contribute to greater trust and confidence in the healthcare system.
The letter asks states and UTs to ensure that healthcare charges are displayed at conspicuous and easily accessible locations, in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework.
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The letter refers to the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, and the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012, which provide for the registration and regulation of hospitals and clinics.
Under the Central Government Rules, clinical establishments are required to display the rates charged for each type of treatment and other facilities at a conspicuous place. The information must be displayed in the local language as well as in English.
The requirement is intended to help patients and their attendants understand the charges associated with healthcare services before making decisions about treatment.
In states and UTs where the Central Act does not apply, clinical establishments are regulated under the respective state or UT frameworks. According to the letter, several of these frameworks also contain provisions requiring the display of rates for healthcare services and facilities.
However, implementation and enforcement rest with the respective state and UT authorities because health is a State subject.
Srivastava has asked chief secretaries to review compliance with the applicable provisions and take appropriate measures to ensure their effective implementation.
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The Centre has also called for greater transparency in the pricing of healthcare packages offered to international patients travelling to India for treatment.
The letter asks states and UTs to encourage clinical establishments to prominently display, wherever applicable, package rates offered to foreign patients travelling on Medical or Ayush Visas.
“Such transparency would facilitate informed decision-making by international patients, minimise potential grievances relating to pricing and billing, and further strengthen India’s position as a trusted and patient-centric destination for medical and Ayush care,” Srivastava wrote.
The letter requests chief secretaries to issue appropriate advisories to the concerned authorities and clinical establishments to ensure compliance.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
