Charged for COVID treatment despite testing negative, Surat man wins consumer case

Treatment expense

Garg, a resident of Surat’s City Light area, had filed a complaint in July 2021 against the hospital, an insurance company, and its officials, alleging wrongful billing and deficiency in service.

Garg said he had taken a medical insurance policy worth Rs. 7 lakh from April 28, 2019, to August 23, 2020, from an insurance company in Surat.

He stated that he was admitted to the hospital on July 22, 2020, after falling ill, and tested negative for COVID-19. He alleged that despite the negative report, he was treated under a COVID protocol and charged accordingly, incurring medical expenses of Rs 3.71 lakh. While the insurance company reimbursed Rs 1.78 lakh, his claim for the remaining Rs 1.64 lakh was rejected.

He further alleged gross negligence and unfair trade practices by the hospital and sought compensation for mental anguish, along with reimbursement of the disputed amount.

The complainant’s counsel, Advocate Shreyas Desai, welcomed the order. “We are very much satisfied with the order as the hospital authorities knew that the complainant was not suffering from COVID, and even after that, it treated Garg,” Desai said.

The defendant’s lawyers could not be reached as they did not respond to phone calls.