Vadodara: Cost of surgery varies depending on the doctor, patient condition and medical equipment used, and therefore such procedures cannot have uniform charges, the Vadodara Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ruled while directing an insurance company to honour a patient’s claim.The case involved a woman who underwent surgery for menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) in March 2024. She was admitted to a private hospital for three days, during which she incurred medical expenses of Rs 1.49 lakh. However, her insurer deducted Rs 43,000 from the claim, citing policy terms and stating that the amount exceeded “reasonable and customary charges”.Aggrieved by the deduction, Patel approached the Vadodara District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (Additional) in Oct 2024.The commission observed that the insurer’s deduction on the grounds of “excess charges” was not justified, noting that treatment costs vary from case to case based on the patient’s condition, the treating doctor and the medicines and equipment used during surgery. “Expenses of every surgery are not the same,” the forum said.The commission directed the insurance company to pay Rs 38,000 along with 9% interest. It also ordered Rs 2,000 as compensation for mental harassment and Rs 3,000 towards litigation costs.
