Tamil Nadu opens paid wards in 24 government hospitals
The new wards provide a lower-cost treatment option for patients who do not have state health insurance coverage.
Tamil Nadu has launched paid wards in 24 government hospitals to serve patients who lack state health insurance, according to a report by Urban Acres. These wards offer treatment at rates tied to government-approved insurance packages, providing a cheaper alternative to private healthcare.
The policy targets individuals not covered by the New Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for pensioners and government employees or the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS). Officials noted that the move aims to increase occupancy in facilities where vacancy rates currently range from 30 per cent to 50 per cent.
Dr S Uma, director of the Tamil Nadu Health System Project, said most current ward patients are covered by CMCHIS or NHIS. She stated that protocols have been established to admit those without these specific schemes.
Under the new rules, patients in these wards must pay for the full treatment package rather than just paying for a private room while receiving free medical care. Hospitals must use surgery and treatment charges from a September 2021 government order and relevant CMCHIS rates.
At Omandurar Multi Speciality Hospital, director Dr V V Kannan said almost 50 per cent of pay ward rooms were empty, including those capable of providing step-down intensive care. He noted that some patients were unclear on the terms, asking if they could pay only for room rent.
Data from the National Statistical Office’s 80th round, conducted between January and December 2025, showed significant cost differences. In Tamil Nadu, average out-of-pocket spending for childbirth was Rs 69,914 in private hospitals compared to Rs 1,412 in government hospitals.