Maharashtra caps rates for black fungus treatment

Different rates set for rural and urban areas to ensure affordable care

Maharashtra government on Friday capped the rates of treatment for mucormycosis, more commonly known as black fungus, in private hospitals. The notification, which will be effective till July 31, 2021, has divided the State in to three strata and different rates have been announced for each to ensure a balance between rural and urban areas. The State has been divided in to A, B and C classes. Class A includes, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (excluding Bhiwandi and Vasai-Virar), Pune, Nagpur (Nagpur municipal Corporation, Digdoh and Wadi). Class B includes Nasik, Amaravati, Aurangabad, Bhiwandi, Solapur, Kolhapur, Vasai-Virar, Malegaon, Nanded and Sangli while class C includes rest of the area. The maximum hospital charges for ward and isolation are fixed at ₹4,000 and ₹3,000 for class A and B, respectively and ₹2,400 for class C. Charges for ICU without ventilator have been fixed at ₹7,500 and ₹5,500 for class A and B while ₹4,500 is a maximum limit for class C. Charges for ICU with ventilator are ₹9,000 and ₹6,700 for class A and B respectively and ₹5,400 for class C.