Recession gives birth to penny-pinching and a drop in occupancy rates at exclusive maternity wings in hospitals
Recession gives birth to penny-pinching and a drop in occupancy rates at exclusive maternity wings in hospitals
Top specialty hospitals that set up exclusive maternity wings for corporate clients are losing money as companies tighten insurance cover for employees.
Take the case of Mallya Hospital where the occupancy for the special maternity care unit had dropped from 85 per cent to 40 per cent in the matter of a year.
Battling premiums that run into crores of rupees, firms are now setting limits for various procedures, particularly planned ones. In many cases, the limit for a normal delivery is Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000 for a Caesarean.
Down and out
Quite naturally, hospital administrators aren't happy and say the tweaked health insurance has made a big dent to the healthcare business.
"Patients with health cover comprise about 30 to 40 per cent of the total number of patients we get. Earlier, 16 to 17 per cent would avail our deluxe rooms, but now it's come down to a mere 8 to 9 per cent," says Dr R Arora, chief hospital administrator, Mallya Hospital.
Some hospitals, however, blame it on recession.
"We can't deny the fact that recession hasn't affected us. Business is slow but this is just a phase and I'm sure it won't last long. Corporate suites were a huge hit when we started them. Our occupancy levels went up and once the situation stabilises, it will be back to normal," says Naem Khan, medical director, Apollo.
But it may be a while before patients opt for an expensive suite.
u00a0"These suites are so tastefully done and extra care is taken to ensure the patient feels comfortable and at home. But after those five days of heavenly bliss, the rude shock comes when you look at your bills," says Veena Mohan, a professor who spent nearly Rs 80,000 for her first delivery at a high-end maternity home.
Birth rates
Wokhardt:u00a0 TLC package, Rs 67,000
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Manipal Hospital:
C-section - Rs 80,000, Normal - Rs 65,000
Rs 60,000 and Rs 45,000 in a private room.
Cradle Maternity Hospital:
C-section - Rs 65,000
Normal - Rs 45,000 in a private room. A corporate suite crosses a lakh.
Apollo Hospital:
C-section - Rs 37,400
Normal - Rs 18,400
Rs 45,600 and Rs 22,600 in a twin-sharing room.
A private bed costs Rs 54,800 and Rs 26,800. A suite costs Rs 103,200 and Rs 78,200 for a C-section and normal delivery.
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