When Healing Trumps Billing

Shylocks at billing counters. Isn't that the first and the worst image conjured up by many patients at the very thought of super speciality corporate hospitals? You cannot expect to get admitted without coughing up a substantial advance payment, especially if you don't have medical insurance.

- Sanjay Pinto

The vicious cycle of medical care, with hefty capitation fees at private colleges, the soaring cost of equipment and high interest on borrowed capital, has made quick return on investment the driving force at many hospitals. Small wonder that doctors at some places are given 'targets' and are forced to order a slew of costly diagnostic tests, push for surgeries and procedures and insist on hospital admissions, often when they are not required.

Enter Dr.Aravindan Selvaraj. The orthopaedic surgeon from Trichy, where his father D. Selvaraj was the first Engineer and his mother Kousalya Devi was the first lady to cross Higher Secondary education in the village, makes no bones about the middle class values he brings to the table. At the 250 bed Kauvery Hospital in Chennai, this Co-Founder & Executive Director has a strict dictum of 'No Advance for the first 24 hours'. “We cater to many senior citizens who live alone with their children abroad. Hospitalisation itself can be stressful. Rustling up money at nano notice should not be another worry. We trust our patients. Payment issues have been few and far between”, he reveals, flashing that trademark Colgate smile. There are also instances where patients were discharged and given a few days to settle the balance in the bill after insurance approval.