Centre Asks Hospitals to Display Treatment Costs Clearly

The Centre has asked states to ensure hospitals display treatment charges in English and local languages to improve healthcare price transparency.

By Divine Media 24 ·October 13, 2026 ·2 min read ·11 views ·Updated 27 October 2026, 6:52am

The Central government has asked states and Union Territories to ensure hospitals and other clinical establishments prominently display their treatment charges, aiming to improve transparency and help patients understand healthcare costs before receiving services.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has written to the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories, urging them to review compliance with existing rules and direct the relevant authorities to ensure that healthcare charges are displayed clearly.
Under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, and the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012, establishments covered by these provisions must display rates for different services and facilities at a conspicuous location accessible to patients and their attendants. Charges are required to be displayed in English and the local language.
The Centre has also highlighted the importance of transparent treatment pricing for international patients. States and Union Territories have been asked to encourage clinical establishments to prominently display applicable package rates for patients travelling to India on Medical and Ayush Visas.
Implementation and enforcement largely rest with states and Union Territories because health is a State subject. The central legislation applies only in jurisdictions covered by it, while other states and Union Territories regulate clinical establishments under their respective laws.
Clear display of treatment costs is intended to help patients make informed decisions, understand expected expenses and reduce disputes over hospital bills. For international patients, transparent package pricing may also help address complaints related to treatment charges.
The Centre's latest communication seeks stronger compliance with existing requirements rather than announcing a new nationwide pricing system. Effective implementation will depend on state authorities reviewing current practices and ensuring that applicable rules are followed.