Due to the implementation of Goods and Services tax various health care devices such as dialysis, pacemaker implantation, support devices for orthopedics and cancer treatment is expected to cost more. This was answered by the GST Council on their website to the most frequently asked question by the people.
However, the ministry has also confirmed that various life-saving drugs would continue to be tax-free under the goods and service tax.
The tax dialysis is expected to increase from 5% to 12%, whereas the tax on pacemaker would increase from 5.5% to 18% and tax on support devices for cancer except blood cancer would increase from 5 to 7-12 %.
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Diagnosis is also costlier compared to what these were pre-GST; all the diagnostic kits except for the ones that can be used for the detection of Hepatitis and radiology machines would come under the ambit of 28% tax.
But if we consider medical tourism in India, it is expected to bring good prospects with the roll out of GST. The cost of insurance, pharmaceuticals, and trade would come down, which eventually would result in better opportunities for medical tourism in India.
A nodal officer has been appointed by the ministry solely for the GST so that all the concerns and queries can be addressed to all the stakeholders.
