The Union Health Ministry has urged States and Union Territories to ensure that clinical establishments prominently display rates for healthcare services in English and local languages. The move aims to improve transparency, help patients make informed decisions, reduce billing disputes and encourage hospitals to disclose treatment packages for international patients.
New Delhi, October 2026 : The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday urged all States and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure that clinical establishments prominently display the rates charged for healthcare services and facilities, with the objective of strengthening transparency, accountability and patient-centric healthcare delivery.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretaries of States and UTs, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava called for a review of compliance with the applicable regulations and directed authorities to take necessary steps to ensure that information on healthcare charges is clearly displayed and easily accessible to patients and their attendants.
The ministry said the transparent display of treatment costs would help patients and their families understand the likely expenses involved in medical care. This, in turn, would enable them to make informed decisions, compare available options where possible and plan their finances more effectively.
According to the ministry, clearly displayed rates could also reduce confusion over medical bills, minimise disputes between patients and healthcare providers, and strengthen public confidence in the healthcare system.
The communication highlighted the provisions of the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, and the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012. These provisions require clinical establishments in States and UTs where the central law applies to display the charges for all services and facilities at a conspicuous place within their premises.
The rates must be displayed in both English and the local language to ensure that patients and their attendants can understand the information without difficulty.
The ministry also pointed out that the central legislation does not apply uniformly across all States and UTs. Those where the Act is not applicable regulate clinical establishments under their respective legal and administrative frameworks. Many of these frameworks also contain provisions requiring healthcare facilities to display their service charges.
Emphasising that health is a State subject, Srivastava underlined that the responsibility for implementing and enforcing the relevant regulations rests with State and UT authorities. The ministry has therefore called on them to review the existing arrangements and ensure compliance with the applicable rules.
In a related measure, the ministry has sought greater pricing transparency for international patients travelling to India for medical treatment.
States and UTs have been requested to encourage hospitals and other healthcare institutions to prominently display package rates offered to foreign patients visiting the country on Medical or Ayush Visas.
The ministry said the disclosure of such packages would help overseas patients understand treatment costs before making decisions about seeking care in India. It could also reduce pricing-related grievances and improve the overall experience of international patients.
India has emerged as a destination for patients seeking a range of medical and traditional Ayush treatments. The ministry said greater transparency in treatment pricing could further strengthen the country's position in the international healthcare sector by promoting informed choices and improving confidence in healthcare services.
The latest communication places the onus on State and UT authorities to ensure that healthcare establishments follow the applicable provisions on displaying rates. By making charges more visible and accessible, the ministry aims to promote greater accountability among healthcare providers and help patients make decisions with a clearer understanding of the financial implications of treatment.
