Centre Urges Prominent Display of Healthcare Service Rates at Clinics
Union Health Secretary calls on States/UTs to also facilitate transparent display of package rates for international patients visiting India on medical and Ayush visas
UdaipurTimes, Oct 12, 2026 - In a significant step towards strengthening transparency, accountability and patient-centric healthcare delivery, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has urged all States and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure the prominent display of rates charged for services and facilities offered by clinical establishments.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, in a letter to the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, has called for a review of compliance with applicable regulatory provisions and appropriate measures to ensure that information on healthcare service charges is clearly visible and easily accessible to patients and their attendants.
Emphasising the importance of transparency in healthcare pricing, the Union Health Secretary noted that the conspicuous display of rates would help patients and their families understand the likely cost of treatment, make informed healthcare decisions and plan their medical expenditure. Greater transparency would also help minimise avoidable confusion and billing-related disputes, while fostering trust and confidence in the healthcare delivery system.
The letter refers to the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, and the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012, which provide a regulatory framework for clinical establishments. Under the Rules, Clinical Establishments in States and UTs where the Act is applicable are required to display the rates charged for each type of service provided and facilities available at a conspicuous place, in the local language as well as in English, for the benefit of patients and their attendants.
In States and UTs where the Act is not applicable, clinical establishments are regulated under the respective State/UT frameworks, several of which also contain provisions relating to the display of rates for healthcare services and facilities.
The letter also places particular emphasis on transparency in healthcare pricing for international patients. States and UTs have been requested to encourage the prominent display, wherever applicable, of package rates offered to foreign patients travelling to India on medical or Ayush visas. This would enable international patients to make informed choices, help minimise pricing and billing-related grievances and further strengthen India's position as a trusted destination for medical and Ayush care.
