Navigating Medical Bonuses: Do Hospital Employees Still Qualify Under Maternity Benefit Act?

Medical Bonus Under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

This is regarding the payment of the medical bonus under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. According to the act, every woman entitled to maternity benefits under this Act shall also be entitled to receive from her employer a medical bonus of Rs. 3500 if no prenatal confinement and postnatal care are provided by the employer free of charge.

I am working in a hospital, and most of our female employees have their deliveries done in the hospital itself. The employee is only required to pay for consumables and medicine charges. In such a case, is it still necessary to pay the medical bonus? If not, what documentary evidence do we need to keep to show to inspecting authorities? Only those who have the delivery done in another hospital will be paid the medical bonus.

Looking forward to your reply.

Regards,
Anshu Kumari

I think you need not pay a medical bonus in the case of your employees hospitalized in your hospital for delivery free of cost. However, the experience of each of us makes us feel that everything is charged extra in the name of consumables—such as the cost of hand gloves, syringes, visiting Pediatrician's and Dietician's charges, in addition to the Obstetrician's and Anesthetist's fees, room rent, and boarding charges. Therefore, please review the charges you levy under the head 'consumables' first and then decide.

Thank you.

Dear Sir, Thanks for your reply. Consumable charges do not include visiting Pediatrician's and Dietician's charges, Anesthetist's fees, room rent, etc. All these are free of cost. Consumable charges include only items used. What documentary evidence do we have to keep to show to inspecting authorities in such cases if there is no need to pay a medical bonus? Regards, Anshu

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

Medical Bonus Payment Under the Maternity Benefit Act

Medical bonus is to be paid if no prenatal or postnatal care is provided free of charge. This may even include the child's care as well.

The amount involved is Rs. 3500 only. Why go on interpreting the act for such a small amount and risk non-compliance if interpreted otherwise by the authority?

Regards,
Shrikant Prabhudesai
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