Maharashtra Slashes PET-CT Scan Rates in Govt Hospitals
The Maharashtra Medical Education Department has standardized PET-CT scan rates across government medical colleges. This regulatory decision brings needed clarity to public-private partnership diagnostic centres. Furthermore, the directive protects vulnerable families from catastrophic out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
Standardized PET-CT Scan Rates and Pricing Breakdown
Under the newly issued government resolution, a whole-body PET-CT scan now costs Rs 10,250 for self-paying patients. This capped charge includes fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) radiotracer administration. Notably, this fee reflects a 50 percent reduction compared to the standard Rs 20,500 package under state schemes.
Additionally, the state has capped the costs for diagnostic contrast media used during cross-sectional imaging. For instance, contrast agents for CT scans cost Rs 420 for 50 ml and Rs 830 for 100 ml vials. Meanwhile, gadolinium-based contrast for MRI scans is fixed at Rs 950 per 10 ml dose. Therefore, diagnostic facilities cannot levy arbitrary consumable markups on patients.
Patient Categorization and Free Care Access
The government order introduces three distinct patient classifications to streamline billing workflows. Specifically, the framework divides service seekers into eligible free patients, paying patients, and referred individuals.
Eligible beneficiaries enrolled under MJPJAY and AB PM-JAY receive these diagnostic evaluations completely free of charge. In addition, economically weaker patients requiring tertiary evaluations will not face financial hurdles. However, patients outside these welfare schemes must pay the capped charges directly at the hospital billing desk. Consequently, hospitals must strictly enforce transparent billing counters and prohibit external cash payments.
Operational Guidelines for Healthcare Providers
Government medical colleges operating PPP diagnostic suites must implement these directives immediately. Moreover, private vendor partners cannot accept direct payments from patients or their families. Administrative authorities will penalize any contractor that bypasses the institutional cash counter.
Furthermore, hospital administrations must prominently display comprehensive fee structures in both Marathi and English. As a result, patients gain clear visibility over diagnostic expenses. Clinicians can also order necessary oncological staging scans without worrying about inflated private provider tariffs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the standardized PET-CT scan rates for paying patients in Maharashtra government hospitals?
Paying patients will pay Rs 10,250 for a whole-body PET-CT scan, which includes the cost of intravenous contrast and FDG tracer.
Q2: Who is eligible to receive free PET-CT scans and contrast studies?
Beneficiaries covered under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) and Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY receive all prescribed scans and contrast agents entirely free.
Q3: How must patients complete payments for diagnostic scans?
All payments must go exclusively through the hospital's central billing counter. Private diagnostic partners cannot collect payments directly under any circumstance.
References
- Maharashtra govt fixes rates for PET-CT, MRI contrast; eligible poor patients toget free tests - ETHealthworld
- Maharashtra Expands PET-CT Scan Coverage For Cancer Patients Under State Health Schemes - Free Press Journal
- Relief for cancer patients as PET-CT scan comes under state health cover - The Times of India / Pune News
