Mohali: ESIC patient denied cashless treatment; hospital charged Rs 4.30 lakh

The hospital had allegedly collected Rs 30,000 as admission charge the same day.
The family also paid Rs 4,00,000 on November 13 as the rest of the medical bill.
The hospital reportedly also asked for an additional Rs 90,396 for discharge on Saturday.

According to the family, Jashanpreet’s father had informed the hospital during the admission that his son was entitled to cashless treatment as he was insured under ESIC. However, the hospital allegedly denied the request and claimed that “ESI treatment will take time”.

The family further alleged that the hospital administration forced the father to sign a written statement.
On Friday, the patient’s father filed an official complaint with ESIC Regional Director/SMC Dr Rajiv Chhabra, who is also the State Medical Officer (Punjab). The father accused the hospital of unlawfully taking money from a beneficiary entitled to cashless treatment.

In response, Chhabra mailed the hospital issuing strict directions the same day. The mail read, “A complaint has been received dated 14.11.2025 regarding IP Jashanpreet (IP No. 1214693790) stating that Rs 4,30,000/- has been collected from an ESIC beneficiary, which is a violation of the MoU… refund the amount to the IP for early resolution. Ensure that treatment is strictly provided as per SOP. This must be treated as most urgent.”

Advocate Jasbir Singh, who is assisting the family, told The Indian Express, “Despite clear directions from officials yesterday, the hospital discharged the patient while still preparing a bill today showing nearly Rs 90,000 due. The MoU clearly states that all hospitals must provide cashless treatment to ESIC workers and cannot take money from them… Strict action is necessary so that other workers are not harassed in the same manner.”

When contacted, Karamchand, Eden Hospital manager, told The Indian Express, “When the patient was admitted, the family did not inform us that he was an ESIC card holder. The next day when they informed us, we took the consent and told them that we would get the bill reimbursed ourselves. This confusion led to the issue.”