The Karnataka government has lowered the price of RT-PCR tests in commercial laboratories, limiting them at Rs 500 each test, down from Rs 800 previously. This change comes ten months after the state reduced the cost of RT-PCR from Rs. 1200 to Rs. 800 in December of the previous year. This is comparable to states such as Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Kerala, with Andhra Pradesh having the lowest cost per test at Rs 475. The government changed maximum pricing for several types of testing for Covid-19 in a notice released last week. If the material is forwarded to a private lab by government officials, and RT-PCR test would cost Rs 400.
The RT-PCR test will cost Rs 500, TrueNat Rs 1,250, CBNAAT Rs 1,600, quick antigen test Rs 400, and rapid antibody test (IgG Elisa) Rs 500 at a private facility. Rapid RT-PCR at airports has been decreased in price by Rs 200 to Rs 3,000. The order was given by the principal secretary of the health and family welfare department, who stated that the cost of chemical reagents necessary for testing had been reduced significantly.
The Covid 19 Technical Advisory Committee at the state level has presented a request to revise the ceiling rates for Covid 19 testing techniques, resulting in the order, he noted in the order. The ruling also sets a limit on how much it costs to collect samples at home. Only Rs 250 can now be charged by private labs and hospitals. The collecting fee was reduced from Rs 800 to Rs 400 in December.
The most reliable method for identifying SARS-CoV2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, is claimed to be RT-PCR. Covid testing will remain free in government-run primary health centers and hospitals. Officials with the health department mentioned that anyone can report a private lab or hospital charging more than the capped fee, and that action will be taken against the lab or hospital. Despite the Health Authorities’ directive issued on October 13 and distributed to all hospitals and labs by October 21, certain hospitals in Mangaluru were charging Rs 800 for RT-PCR and an extra Rs 400 as a service charge for overseas travelers. The hospital personnel stated that they had not yet received the order.
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