Govt fixes fees for 10 corona related tests

The Ministry of Health has set new prices for 10 tests related to oxygen and coronavirus in all types of private hospitals and diagnostic centers. 

If more than the determined fee is charged from any patient, action will be taken against the concerned institution. However, it was not known what the punishment would be.

The High Court issued a directive to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to take steps to set up at open place in all private hospitals and clinics after determining the fees of corona related tests.

In line with the court order, a notification with the signature of director of DGHS (hospital and clinic) Md Farid Hossain Mia, was issued on January 21 fixing the fees.

All the private hospitals and diagnostic centers in the country have also been instructed to implement the new fees list, said a senior official of DGHS.

According to the new guidelines, Tk 100 is fixed for an oxygen cylinder of 2 to 5 liters per hour while Tk 125 for 6 to 9 liters and Tk 150 for 10 to 15 liters. 

In the central oxygen system (generator based), it has been fixed at Tk 120 for 2 to 5 liters of oxygen per hour, Tk 300 for 6 to 9 liters and Tk 350 for 10 to 15 liters.

The central oxygen system (liquid oxygen tank based) is set up at Tk 120 for 2 to 5 liters of oxygen per hour, Tk 250 for 6 to 9 liters and Tk 300 for 10 to 15 liters.

The cost of using 60 to 80 liters of oxygen per hour with high flow nasal canola in the central oxygen system has been fixed at Tk 500.

In addition to oxygen, the cost of 10 emergency coronavirus tests has also been fixed. The fees are: ‘CBC’ (Complete Blood Test) from Tk 400 to Tk 600, ‘LFT’ (Lung Function Test) from Tk 950 to Tk 1,600, ‘Creatinine’ from Tk 300 to Tk 650, ‘Electrolyte’ from Tk 850 to Tk 1,450. The minimum cost of ‘D-Dimer’ test is Tk 1,100 to 3,200, ‘Ferritin’ from Tk 1,000 to Tk 2,200, ‘Procalcitonin’ Tk 1,500 to Tk 4,500, CT scan (chest) Tk 5,000 to Tk 13,000, chest X-ray (analog) Tk 300 to Tk 500 and chest X-ray (digital) Tk 500 to Tk 800.

When asked about punishment, if any private hospital or diagnostic center charges more from patients beyond the list prescribed by the DGHS, the director said, “We have sent new price lists to all private hospitals and diagnostic centers. They have been asked to display that list in open place. Our team is supervising regularly. If there is any allegation that someone is charging more money, we will first request the accused organisation. If they still do not agree, we will inform the Ministry of Health. We will decide in a meeting what action can be taken against that hospital or diagnostic center.