Medical Bonus in a hospital where most of our female employees get their delivery done here

Dear Seniors,
This is regarding payment of medical bonus under Maternity Benefit act 1961. As per the act every woman entitled to maternity benefit under this Act shall also be entitled to receive from her employer a medical bonus of Rs. 3500/-, if no pre-natal confinement and post-natal care is provided for by the employer free of charge. I am working in a hospital and most of our female employees get their delivery done in the hospital itself. The employee is required to pay only consumable and medicine charges. In such case is it still required to pay medical bonus. If no what documentry evidences we need to keep to show to inspecting athorities. Only those who will get the delivery done in other hospital will be paid medical bonus.
Waiting for your reply.
Regards,
Anshu Kumari

Dear Anshu,
I think you need not pay medical bonus in the case of such of your employees hospitalized in your own hospital for delivery free of cost.But the experience of every one of us makes us feel that every thing is charged extra in the name of consumables - cost of hand-gloves, syringes, visiting Paediaticion's and Dietician's charges and the like in addition to OGicion's and Anesthetist's fees and room-rent and boarding charges.So, review the charges you levy under the head 'consumables' at first and then decide.

Dear sir,
Thanks for your reply. Consumable charges doesn't include visiting Paediaticion's and Dietician's charges, Anesthetist's fees , room-rent etc. All these are free of cost. Consumable charges include only items used. What documentry evidence we have to keep to show to inspecting athorities in such case if there is no need to pay medical bonus.
Regards,
Anshu

Good; for every such case, prepare the total bill item-wise and minus the value of free items and then issue to the lady/patient.Keep a copy in her Maternity Benefit file.

Medical bonus is to be paid if no pre-natal or post-natal care is provided free of charge. Now this may even include child's care also.
The amount involved is Rs. 3500 only. Why go on interpreting the Act for such small amount and land in non-compliance if interpreted otherwise by authority?
Shrikant Prabhudesai
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