Private Hospital Treatment to Cost 3% More from Today

From today, patients visiting private hospitals, nursing homes, polyclinics, labs, and private medical colleges in Nepal will have to pay an additional 3% ‘health equality fee’ on all services.

This new provision has been implemented as part of the government’s financial bill 2083, which levies a 3% health equality fee on all services provided by private health institutions.

According to the new provision, private health institutions will have to add 3% to all service charges and collect the amount from patients. For example, if a patient’s treatment costs Rs 10,000, they will now have to pay an additional Rs 300 as a health equality fee.

The government plans to use the revenue generated from this fee to improve the quality of health services and expand access to health care.

Private health institutions will have to submit the collected amount to the relevant internal revenue office within 25 days of the end of each quarter. If they fail to do so, they will be liable to pay a fine and interest.

Consumer rights activists and private hospital operators have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s decision, stating that it will increase the cost of treatment and put an additional burden on patients.

Dr. Padam Khadka, president of the Association of Private Health Institutions of Nepal (APHIN), said that private hospitals will collect the 3% health equality fee from patients and submit it to the government. However, he added that the additional financial burden will ultimately be borne by the patients.