Tamil NaduOut-of-Pocket Medical ExpenditurePublic Health FacilitiesPrivate HospitalsHealthcare Access
Tamil Nadu Records Lowest Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenditure in Public Hospitals
Published: May 11, 2026
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Tamil Nadu has recorded the lowest out-of-pocket medical expenditure (OOPME) for hospitalization in public hospitals among major states in India, according to the National Sample Survey’s “Household Social Consumption: Health”. The average OOPME for in-patient care in government hospitals in Tamil Nadu was ₹1,357, significantly lower than the national average of ₹6,631.
The survey also found that the expenditure in private hospitals was higher, with an average of ₹74,168, compared to the national average of ₹50,508. T. Sundararaman, former executive director, National Health Systems Resource Centre, attributed the low OOPME in public hospitals to the provision of free care in public services.
K. Kolandasamy, former Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, noted that the expenditure is low in public hospitals as almost all services, except CT and MRI, are free.
The experts emphasized the need to strengthen the public healthcare system and address gaps in services to further reduce OOPME. The government is expected to review the findings and implement measures to improve healthcare access and affordability, with Prof. Sundararaman suggesting that the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) must be used to ensure adequate funding across the public healthcare system.