Medical Expenses: Doctor’s fees and medicine prices cut into pockets

Medical Expenses: Since the Corona infection in the country, awareness about health and medical facilities has increased a lot among the people. Medical facilities are also being expanded by the government to help the people. However, even after this, people’s expenditure on treatment is increasing. It is being claimed in a report that the cost of outpatient treatment is more than that of hospital treatment. According to the report of the National Sample Survey, the burden of medicines, lab tests and doctor’s fees on patients is high. Besides, the report has also revealed that on average the primary health system is not strong in rural and urban areas. Due to this, people’s dependence on private hospitals has increased significantly.

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how much did the expenses increase

According to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey report, per capita monthly income in rural areas in the year 2022-23 is only Rs 3773. Whereas, in urban areas it is only Rs 6459. However, a large part of the income of the people of both the areas is being spent on treatment. This includes both hospital and non-hospital expenses. In rural areas, the expenditure per person per month is 2.26 percent of the average income i.e. Rs 85. Apart from this, the impact of hospital admission is 4.77 percent i.e. monthly expenditure of Rs 180. In urban areas, per person spends 1.91 percent of the average monthly income i.e. Rs 123 on hospital admission. Whereas, apart from getting admitted, he spends four percent i.e. Rs 258.

No benefit without admission

In most health insurance, the cost of treatment is not covered without admission. In most of the cases only the hospital bill is added. Expenses incurred outside are not added. However, one reason for the low cost of admission is that the cost of treatment in government hospitals is negligible. However, people are more dependent on private clinics for the treatment of minor diseases. According to the report, the best way to reduce pre-hospitalization expenses is to further strengthen government health services.