The Odisha government has issued show-cause notices to four private hospitals in Bhubaneswar following verified complaints of denied cashless treatment and allegedly excessive billing. Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling shared the information in a written statement during the Assembly session on Monday.
The Minister was responding to a query raised by MLA Arabinda Mohapatra, who sought clarification on increasing grievances related to private hospitals refusing cashless services and charging patients beyond approved limits. Mahaling confirmed that the state acted promptly after reviewing the complaints.
According to the Minister, Sun Shine Hospital, Apollo Hospital, Manipal Hospital, and IMS & SUM Hospital were directed to explain why they failed to provide cashless treatment despite being mandated to do so under existing healthcare provisions. The notices also address allegations of inflated billing practices.
Mahaling informed the House that the hospitals must justify why disciplinary action should not be taken for these violations. He reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance approach to any negligence that compromises patient rights or increases financial burden.
He further added that continuous monitoring mechanisms are in place to ensure that such incidents do not reoccur and that all patients receive seamless, affordable, and transparent medical services.
Responding to MLA Mohapatra’s concerns about unethical pricing practices, the Minister clarified that the government has not yet received formal complaints on exorbitant billing beyond what has already been verified.
No response from the concerned hospitals was available at the time of reporting.
