In response to widespread concerns about unclear and inconsistent hospital billing practices, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced a uniform billing framework for hospitals across India. The new Indian Standard IS 19493:2025 aims to ensure that hospital bills are itemized, transparent, and patient-friendly. This move is intended to bring clarity, reduce disputes, and strengthen accountability in healthcare costs, enabling patients and providers to navigate the financial aspects of medical treatment with greater confidence.
For many Indian families, deciphering hospital bills has become as stressful as the medical treatment itself. Bills often contain unclear headings, lump-sum charges, and insufficient explanations, leading to confusion and mistrust between hospitals and patients. A nationwide survey by LocalCircles revealed that a significant portion of respondents did not receive itemized details of services, facilities, or consumables charged in their hospital bills. This lack of transparency has been a long-standing issue, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new standard, developed after extensive consultation and citizen feedback, seeks to address these concerns by establishing a common benchmark for clarity and accountability in billing. It applies to all healthcare institutions, including hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic centers, and outpatient clinics, ensuring a consistent approach to billing across the country. Under the new standard, hospital bills must clearly list all charges under defined categories, such as room charges, consultations, procedures, investigations, pharmacy, consumables, and miscellaneous expenses. Medicines and consumables will need to include details like name, quantity, price, batch number, and expiry date. For treatment packages, hospitals must clearly mention what is included and what is excluded, reducing the risk of hidden costs. Consultation charges for doctors, for instance, need to be itemised by doctor and date, while surgery charges would need to be broken down into surgeon's and anaesthesia charges, operation theatre charges, and any other charges billed.
The BIS-approved format specifies how hospitals must present essential billing information, including patient details (name, age, contact information, and unique ID), hospital information (name, address, registration number, and treating physician), and a detailed treatment breakdown. Clear charge categories, tax and insurance information, and a concise summary of net charges are also required. This structured approach ensures patients can easily understand the costs incurred and why they are being charged.
The standardized bills simplify cost comprehension, facilitate budgeting, and make insurance claims easier for patients. Hospitals benefit from reduced disputes, better compliance, and streamlined administrative procedures. Increased transparency can also curb inflated charges and promote accountability, fostering trust between healthcare providers and patients. Hospitals will be required to adopt the new billing format within a set compliance period, with regulators potentially conducting audits to ensure adherence. Staff training and software updates will support a smooth transition. As adoption progresses, the reform is expected to bring clarity, reduce controversies, and enhance decision-making regarding healthcare services and costs.
