People from Bihar spend most on hospitalisation; Delhiites enjoy better reimbursements

Hospitalisation burden more on Bihar, less on Delhi

Urban residents of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh bore a heavier healthcare burden in FY23, with per capita hospitalisation costs exceeding the national average, a Moneycontrol analysis of statistics ministry data showed.

Hospitalisation charges accounted for 2.1 percent of the per capita income of an urban resident of Bihar and 1.7 percent in UP, while the national average was 0.8 percent.

On the other hand, Delhiites spent 0.2 percent of their per capita income on hospitalisation expenses, whereas urban residents of Haryana and Karnataka spent 0.4 percent.

In value terms, Rs 1,446 per annum was spent on hospitalisation in urban areas across the country and Rs 950 in rural pockets. Delhiites spent Rs 844, whereas urban Bihar’s annual spend was Rs 1,146.

Delhiites are also better off receiving reimbursements. The analysis found that out-of-pocket spending covered 57 percent of charges paid by Delhiites for hospitalisation, compared with the national average of 77 percent.

In Assam and Uttar Pradesh, over 90 percent of charges came from the wallet.

Non-hospitalisation charges, which account for 56 percent more spending in rural and 38 percent higher in urban areas, mainly were out-of-pocket as 99 percent of rural spending and 98 percent of the expenditure in urban areas came from the people’s wallets.

Delhi was the best performer, with 9 percent of charges being reimbursed.

Non-hospitalised treatment includes doctor’s fees, medicines, diagnostic tests and other medical expenses (attendant charges, physiotherapy, personal medical appliances, blood, oxygen, etc.).