Hospital is overcharging me — what are my rights?

Hospitals must display rate charts, provide itemized bills, and cannot charge above government-capped rates for regulated procedures. File complaint with State Clinical Establishment authority or Consumer Forum.

Hospitals in India are regulated under the Clinical Establishments Act and various state-specific regulations. Your rights: 1) Right to an itemized bill — you can demand a detailed breakdown of all charges. 2) Hospitals registered under CGHS/ECHS must follow government-prescribed rates. 3) Under PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat), covered patients cannot be charged extra. 4) Hospitals must display their rate chart prominently. 5) No hospital can deny emergency treatment for inability to pay — this is mandated by the Supreme Court. If overcharged: Step 1: Request an itemized bill and compare with the hospital's displayed rate chart. Step 2: File a grievance with the hospital's grievance redressal officer. Step 3: Complain to the State Clinical Establishment Regulatory Authority. Step 4: File a complaint on the National Consumer Helpline (1915). Step 5: File a case in Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum for deficiency of service. Keep all bills, prescriptions, admission/discharge summaries, and payment receipts as evidence.

• Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010
• Consumer Protection Act, 2019 — Section 2(11) (Deficiency in service)
• Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2002
• Parmanand Katara v. Union of India (1989) — Emergency treatment is a right