FAQs on COVID Hospitalization

No. Even when you test positive, if there are no major symptoms like breathlessness (please do check oxygen saturation levels), high fever etc., this condition can be managed at home.

You need to take oral medication along with some supplements and other supportive therapies like steam inhalation, good nutrition and breathing exercises.

Note that if the person is elderly or has any other medical condition like asthma, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease etc., we recommend seeking medical help immediately. 

Check with your doctor whether you can still opt for home isolation with proper precautions and appropriate care. Take a second opinion if you think it is suitable.

Unnecessary hospitalization will not only hurt your pocket, but also expose you to high risk patients. At the same time, you might be occupying a bed that could have gone to a patient who needs it. 

Most of the state governments and the General Insurance Council have defined the upper limit on the rates/charges per day (in consultation with Niti Ayog and Health ministry).

These are applicable based on the severity of the illness, type of treatment given, hospital type and location.

Proposed cost per day as a ceiling for the various types of stay in hospitals are:

Hospital Rates for per day of admission (in Rs.)

For Moderate Sickness (Isolation beds - including supportive care & Oxygen)

• NABH Accredited Hospitals (including entry-level) - 10,000/- (including cost of PPE Rs 1200/-)
• Non-NABH Accredited Hospitals (including entry-level) - 8,000/- (including cost of PPE Rs 1200/-)
  

For Severe Sickness (ICU without need for ventilator care)

• NABH Accredited Hospitals (including entry-level) - 15,000/- (including cost of PPE Rs 2000/-)
  
• Non-NABH Accredited Hospitals (including entry-level) - 13,000/- (including cost of PPE Rs 2000/-)
  

Very Severe Sickness (ICU with ventilator care (invasive/non-invasive)

• NABH Accredited Hospitals (including entry-level) - 18,000/- (including cost of PPE Rs 2000/-)
  
• Non-NABH Accredited Hospitals (including entry-level) - 15,000/- (including cost of PPE Rs 2000/-)
  

For a more detailed breakup, refer to the link below:

GIC: https://www.gicouncil.in/media/3893/covid-19rates.pdf

We sincerely urge everyone to question the hospital if the rates/charges are more than what is prescribed.

Many hospitals have been questioned, served legal notices and ultimately, had to reverse the excess amount.

If there are no major complaints or symptoms, there is no need for multiple antibiotics, anti-viral medicines or a huge combination of medicines.

You can always discuss your prescription with your doctor. Ask them why and for how long the medicines have to be taken. 

You can report the hospital / doctor to the Nodal Officer for any malpractice related to COVID-19 admissions or treatment.

See how: https://doj.gov.in/news/nodal-officer-public-grievances-pertaining-covid-19

If there are 10 patients in a ward, medical and support staff use the same PPE kits for all of them. However, each patient may be charged for multiple PPE kits per day.

If this happens, you should be paying 1/10 of the total cost, not the full cost. Typically, one PPE kit per patient per day should be more than enough.

Most insurance companies cover 1-2 PPE kits per day. A few companies have limits based on the per day cost of the PPE kit.

Each PPE kit, whose contents, specifications and certification are in line with the guidelines of SITRA and DRDE, has a unique certification code. The price ranges from ₹150 to ₹2,500 depending on the additional features.

Multiple websites including Flipkart, Amazon have started selling the PPE kits with UCC and certifications from SITRA. Refer to the following links for prices:

https://www.1mg.com/categories/medical-devices/doctor-s-corner/ppe-kits-372

https://www.jiovio.com/buy/2/products.htm

https://dir.indiamart.com/impcat/ppe-kit.html