Schedule of charges and establishment details to be notified

(1) Every Private Medical Establishment for the information of patients and general public shall notify and make available the schedule of charges for consultation fee, investigations, medical treatments, procedures, hospital charges and other services, and establishment details, as may be prescribed, in each of the manners specified below:- (i) display schedule of charges and establishment details in the prescribed manner on a public website to be provided by the Government; (ii) display schedule of charges and establishment details in the prescribed manner on its own website, if any; (iii) display consultation fee, rates of major and largely used investigations, procedures, treatments and other services, and hospital charges on the (1) ... (iv) schedule of charges in form of booklets or brochures, which is readily available to patients and public at the establishment at all times: Provided that in the event of any discrepancy in the schedule of charges notified as per the above detailed manners, the least amount shall be considered to be effective. (2) For the services provided, the Private Medical Establishment shall collect from the patient or his relative or attendant an amount not more than the charges notified as per sub-section (1), after providing an itemized bill. (3) For the services provided to a patient belonging to eligible household under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (Central Act 20 of 2013) and referred under any of the health assurance schemes of the Government, no charges shall be collected from the patient. (4) For the services provided to a patient not belonging to eligible household under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (Central Act 20 of 2013) but referred under any of the health assurance schemes of the Government, the charges over and above the amount reimbursable from the Government as per the scheme norms shall be collected subject to the rates notified under sub-section (1), after providing an itemized bill. (5) In case of any investigation or treatment or procedure being necessary over and above the standard protocol prescribed under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 9A for any patient covered under sub-section (2) or (3) or (4), the concerned private medical establishment can undertake the same after explaining the need to the patient or his representative and obtaining his consent, and charge additional amount, subject to the rates notified as under sub-section (1) after providing an itemized bill. (6) Every Private Medical Establishment shall provide proper estimates for treatments and charges to the patient or attendant of the patient during initiation or due course of treatment and final bill shall not exceed the estimates.