Kolkata: The West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) has slammed CMRI Hospital for inflated and unacceptable billing, after a patient’s family was charged ₹50,030 for an ICU stay of just 49 minutes before the patient passed away.
Case Summary: Unjustified ICU Charges
- The patient was initially admitted to BM Birla Heart Research Hospital in December for cardiac issues, later developing pneumonia.
- On December 30, 2024, pulmonologists from CMRI Hospital, part of the same medical complex, recommended his transfer to their facility.
- He was admitted at CMRI at 1:40 PM and shifted to the ICU at 5 PM.
- Unfortunately, he passed away just 49 minutes later, at 5:49 PM.
- Despite the short duration of ICU care, the hospital billed ₹50,030 to the patient’s family.
Patient’s Family Seeks Refund
- The deceased’s family questioned the exorbitant ICU charges and requested a refund.
- The hospital refused to address the complaint unless the family provided a lawyer’s letter.
- Frustrated, the family filed a formal complaint with WBCERC on February 19, 2025.
Regulatory Commission’s Response
- CMRI Hospital claimed it had already decided to refund ₹11,000 and had attempted to contact the family.
- However, the WBCERC found the explanation unsatisfactory and ruled that the billing was inflated and unjustified.
- The commission directed CMRI to refund the inappropriate charges levied on the patient’s family.
This case highlights growing concerns over unethical billing practices in private hospitals and the need for stricter regulation to protect patients from financial exploitation.
