Hospital in wreckage for misrepresenting the term ‘package’
Issue -
December - 2023, Posted On: 01 December 2023
This is perhaps one of the more important rulings from National Consumer Commission, as it could set precedence for similar instances in future.
Does the term ‘package’ – often proposed by hospitals at the time of patient’s admission – necessarily imply that it would cover the entire cost of treatment? The top Consumer Court has ruled in the affirmative.
A rural lady was taken to the hospital with complaint of heart ailments. She was diagnosed with myocardial infraction and cardiogenic shock. The hospital presented a package of INR 85,000 which was duly paid. An additional amount of INR 2,00,000 was demanded after a few hours which was also deposited.
Unfortunately, the patient died after four days.