Government Hospitals in Maharashtra to Stay Free of Cost, Health Department Confirms
Pune, 10th February 2026: The Maharashtra health department on Monday clarified that patients will continue to receive free medical services at all state-run hospitals, putting an end to confusion triggered by a recent government resolution.
In a corrigendum issued to its January 16, 2026 order, the department stated that the annexure containing a rate list for medical services has been withdrawn. This means that consultations, tests and treatments in hospitals under the Public Health Department will remain free of cost.
Earlier, a press note from the department had indicated that fees would be reintroduced for a range of services, from a nominal charge for outpatient registration to high-cost procedures such as joint replacement surgeries. That announcement had sparked concern and criticism from various quarters.
Officials explained that the January 16 resolution had mistakenly attached an old rate card from a 2015 government order instead of following the policy introduced in August 2023, which made healthcare services in government hospitals free for patients.
“The annexure attached to the January 16 resolution was included in error and has now been cancelled,” the department said in its corrigendum.
The health department added that as per the August 2023 policy, all examinations and treatments at government hospitals continue to be provided without any charges.
The clarification comes after the state government faced backlash over the perception that it was rolling back free healthcare services in public hospitals.
