Dear Seniors,

This is regarding the payment of medical bonus under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. According to 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 prenatal confinement and postnatal care are provided for by the employer free of charge. I am working in a hospital, and most of our female employees get their deliveries done in the hospital itself. The employee is only required to pay consumable 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 will have the delivery done in another hospital will be paid the medical bonus.

Looking forward to your reply.

Regards,
Anshu Kumari

From India, Gurgaon
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Dear Anshu,

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.

From India, Salem
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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

From India, Gurgaon
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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.
From India, Salem
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Medical bonus is to be paid if no prenatal or postnatal care is provided free of charge. Now, 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 land in non-compliance if interpreted otherwise by the authority?

Shrikant Prabhudesai
Email: shrikant@classiclabour.com

From India, Mumbai
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