SC Seeks Centre’s Response in Plea Seeking Cap on Covid-19 Treatment Rates at Private Hospitals

A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, M R Shah and V Ramasubramanian asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to file Centre’s response on putting an upper limit on fees to be charged by private hospitals for treating Coronavirus patients. Court listed the matter after a week.

The plea relies on several news reports which suggest that insurance companies have curtailed insurance claims of many people and have been denying cashless facilities for them at counters. 

The plea also seeks, the following prayers- 

“a.) Issue appropriate writ(s) / direction(s) to the respondents to, immediately direct the insurance companies, to immediately settle, full claims, which are raised as per Government specified rates. 

b.) Issue appropriate writ(s) / direction(s) to the respondents to, immediately frame and advertise the mechanism to avail – Private Hospitals facility, in case of Covid-19 Infection, as per the choice and affordability of the patient.

c.) Issue appropriate writ(s) / direction(s) to the respondents to, immediately frame and advertise the mechanism to avail – Private facility for Covid-19 Quarantine.”

By Priyanka of SPPU