Private hospital fined for ambiguous billing, overcharging

In a significant move to ensure compliance with the legal metrology norms and protect consumers from fraudulent practices of erring traders, the Legal Metrology Department (LMD) has taken action against a Punjab-based private hospital chain, which runs a hospital at Greater Kailash in Jammu.

The hospital, claiming specialisation in orthopedic surgeries and bone related treatments, has been fined by LMD for conducting transactions using non-standard unit of measurement, which is not in consonance with the law. The hospital was found guilty of violating provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, which mandates a set of accurate information, and the use of standard units of measurement in all commercial transactions, including medical devices.

The instant case came to light following a special inspection conducted by a team of Legal Metrology Department, Jammu, on the directions of the Controller, Legal Metrology Department, J&K, Anuradha Gupta for regulating commercial transactions in the healthcare sector as well and to enforce the compliance of the Legal Metrology Act/rules to protect consumer against fleecing by the hospitals.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the hospital was using non-standard units of measurement in its billing for medical services and devices. Discrepancies were particularly noted in transactions related to the quantity (in terms of weight, measure, or number) of surgical materials or dressing supplies used during the surgical procedures, and as reflected in the patient billing.

Upon registration of case for breach of relevant provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, the Hospital management pleaded guilty to the violation and opted for departmental compounding of the case by paying a fine of Rs 20,000.

In a recent handout, the Legal Metrology Department stressed that medical services, including transactions related to medical devices, now fall under the purview of the Legal Metrology Act, and as per the standing norms, pre-packaged commodities must not be sold at prices exceeding their Maximum Retail Price (MRP).

Consumers are advised to remain vigilant and carefully examine bills issued by the hospitals, and in case of discrepancies, such as over-charging, aggrieved consumers can approach the Legal Metrology Department for timely resolution.