Maharashtra slashes by half COVID-19 testing charges to ₹ 500
The Maharashtra authorities on Wednesday introduced down the charges of coronavirus RT-PCR checks to ₹ 500 from ₹ 1,000. The charges for fast antigen checks have been additionally introduced down. State Health Minister Rajesh Tope made the announcement.
After the outbreak of the pandemic final yr, the charges for an RT-PCR check within the state have been ₹ 4,500, which have been slashed from time-to-time by the state authorities to ease the burden on folks.
“The new rates for RT-PCR test are fixed at ₹ 500, ₹ 600 and ₹ 800. For giving samples at the collection centre, ₹ 500 will be charged. For the same test at a Covid Care Centre or a quarantine centre, the charges will be ₹ 600 and to collect the swab from home, the labs can charge ₹ 800,” Dr Pradeep Vyas, principal secretary of public well being division, stated.
The price of anti-bodies check can be ₹ 250, ₹ 300 and ₹ 400 for related providers respectively.
“No private lab can charge more than these prescribed rates,” he added.
For one other test- CLIA- for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, the charges can be ₹ 350, ₹ 450 and ₹ 550 respectively, whereas for fast antigen check the quantity can be ₹ 150, ₹ 200 and ₹ 300 respectively, Dr Vyas stated.
Tope stated, “There is ample availability of material required for these tests. Which is why, the state government has decided to bring down the prices of these tests.”
(With PTI inputs)
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