How Fortis Hospital involve in Unethical and unfair trade

Hi Friends,

I got this mail from one of my friend. This is an eye opener and also expose Fortis Hospital.
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Day light Money Extortion from Patients by Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai

My Self Dr. Kamal J. Jain from Bhiwandi admitted my mother Mrs. Gulabben J. Jain to Fortis Hospital, Mulund on 28^th August 2012 for Spine surgery (Fusion with Stabilization at L 3-4 & L 4-5,) on recommendation of Dr. Vikas  M. Gupte from Mulund.

I was suggested by Dr. Vikas M. Gupte to go for imported implants for my Mother. He explained me about two different companies which have implants which can be used for this surgery, One was of Company Medtronic which would cost around 1,75,000 Rs & other from company Globus which would cost me around 1,50,000 Rs. For the estimation of total Expenses for this operation I was told to get it from Fortis hospital.

Fortis Hospital gave me estimation of Rs. 2,96,850 along with Implant for this surgery, Full amount of Rs. 2,96,850 was collected from me in advance at time of admission (scan of Rs. 2,96,850 paid by me, S – 1) (Double Click on Icon)

       In the estimation it was given to me that Implants of “Medtronic “Company worth Rs. 1,75,000-  will be used in this surgery.  (Scan of this details attached, S – 2 )

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Mrs. Gulabben J. Jain was operated on 29/8/2012, Operation was uneventful / without any complications. On 31/8/2012, I got a call from Fortis Hospital, I was told to pay Rs. 76,443- more. In details of bill I was shocked to see that Fortis Hospital had charged Rs. 2,47,338- for Implants used in this surgery, this was around Rs. 75,000- more than what I was told initially. And above this the Implants used were of “Globus Company” and not “Medtronic” which was promised and charged to me. Implants Company was changed without our consent. (Scan of bill of implants of Globus Company used attached, S – 3)

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I inquired with the operating Dr. Vikas M. Gupte as to why Globus implants were used while I was told and made to pay for Medtronic. Dr. Vikas M. Gupte replied that “I have used Globus because its costing is less and it will save Rs 25,000 of yours and it is also an equally good imported company”. When I showed the Fortis bill to Dr. Vikas M. Gupte he was shocked to see that Fortis had charged me Rs. 2,47,338- for Implants. The bill for Implants should have been only Rs. 1,50,000 as Implants of “Globus Company were used instead of Medtronic. Dr. Gupte suggested me to meet Hospital management.

On 1^st Sep. 2012 I tried to meet management people, One lady named Diana was introduced to me as a representative of Fortis Marketing Dep., She assured me that she will take up this issue with higher authorities of hospital and I was told to come & meet on Monday 3/8/2012, From 3 Sep to 6^th Sep I tried to meet Diana but every time I was told that she is in meeting come tomorrow. On 7^th Sep. when the pt was to be discharged I was given the bill of Rs. 4,05,030- ( Scan of Final bill attached, S – 4)

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When I requested the billing Dep that I have to meet management to talk about the mistakes in Bill, Diana came at around 11.00am. and took me to meet Lady Aventi she was introduced to me as a head of Marketing Dep. After 10 minutes talk with her she assured me that she will talk to higher authorities and let me know. Till 4pm in evening, no one communicated with me. Around at 4.10 pm. I saw Diana in Canteen, when I inquired with her about bill she told me “Sorry you have to pay whole bill then only Pt will get discharge. I told her that this was unjust and will complain to Police, On this she smiled and replied “Fortis has tie up with police Dep. All big police officers and their family members get admitted in Fortis when they are sick, Fortis provide them Special package, It would be of no use going to Police”.

I called up Social workers and my Friend from Mulund they came and took me to concerned Bhundup police station. I told them the details and showed all the proofs and said them that Patient Mrs. Gulabben J. Jain of Age 64 has been held by Fortis Hospital. Incharge of Police Station called MD of Fortis hospital Dr. Anil Jadhav ( mobile no – 9820031146) in front of me, after talking with him police officer said me that Dr. Anil Jadhav has said that I have to first pay the Hospital bill and then I can file complain in any Court. We met ACP who told us that this was between Hospital and Patient and we police cannot take any action. When I and my friends insisted to take our complain he said to give and application. Application was given to Bhandup Police Station, ACP & DCP of this concerned police station. (scan of complain to police station attached, S – 5)

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On 7th Sep 2012 evening at round 7.45 pm when we tried to take Pt home were abused by Security of Fortis, In lift Security people even pushed the Pt. We were not given Discharge card, Medical records of Pt. Patient was not allowed to take Wheel chair, Pt had to walk all the way from 6^th floor to lift to ground floor and then upto Car.

Questions which will haunt me rest of my Life.  

1) Humiliating end even when we had made full payment in advance.

2) The Implants Company was changed and accordingly I should have got the refund of Rs. 25,000 instead I was billed around Rs. 75,000- extra.

3) Patients Discharge card and other Medical records were not given to me.

4) 64 yrs Pt. after undergoing major surgery was not offered wheel chair, she was abused and pushed by security people.

5) I am not aware about the Law but I have a big Question, Can Police intervene in such case or was what Diana Said was right “Fortis has tie up with police Dep. All big police officers and their family members get admitted in Fortis when they are sick, Fortis provides them Special packages, It would be of no help going to Police”.

This is what I faced, If a Hospital like Fortis can do this to a Dr. Family what they must be doing with the Lay people who get admitted to this Hospital?

This is a clear case of trying to extort Money from patients by Corporate Hospitals like Fortis.        

                                         

Regards,

Dr. Kamal  J Jain

Mobile - 09422076003

President Bhiwandi Medical Practitioners Association, (2011 & 2012)

Bhartiya Janta Party Maharashtra State Secretary of Doctors Cell

National Jain Doctors Federation - General Secretary

President Gaints International, Bhiwandi Branch               (2004)

I hope this will serve as an eye opener and people will be more careful while dealing with them.