Check applicable GST rate, exemption & impact of GST on healthcare services
To procure healthcare services, you are now required to pay GST on healthcare services in addition to your bills. Furthermore, India's pharmaceutical industry has become the third biggest in terms of volume.
The healthcare industry has been affected by the new tax system in multiple ways. Here are a few key points about health care services under GST which will give you more information.
According to the Authority for Advance Ruling of Andhra Pradesh, the COVID-19 immunisation delivered through hospitals is subject to the 5% GST rate.
As per the new rule, hospitals are required to tax room rent (excluding ICU).
Patients renting rooms amounting ₹5000 per day are taxed at 5% without ITC up to the amount invoiced for the room.
According to the Maharashtra GST AAR's (Authority of Advance Ruling) most recent decision, which favoured Jyoti Ceramic Industries, prosthetic teeth, crowns, and bridges are GST exempt health care services.
Here’s a closer look at applicable GST on hospitals.
Room Rent |
Applicable GST |
Below ₹1,000 |
0% |
Between ₹1,000 to ₹2,499 |
12% |
Between ₹2,500 to ₹7,499 |
18% |
Above ₹7,500 |
28% |
As the majority of individuals deal with various medical issues, health care products have become a part of our daily lives. And our demanding daily schedule is the cause of this. Hence, to keep yourself fit, buying health care products has become a necessity, and as a purchaser of health care items, you must be aware of the applicable GST.
Here are the details about GST on health care products.
Product |
Applicable GST |
Contraceptives |
0% |
Human blood |
0% |
Insulin |
5% |
Animal or human blood vaccines |
5% |
Hepatitis diagnostic kits |
5% |
Desferrioxamine deferiprone or injection |
5% |
Oral rehydration salts |
5% |
Cyclosporin |
5% |
Medicines |
5% |
Ayurvedic medicines, Anaesthetics, Sterile suture, Potassium Iodate, Iodine, Steam, Medicinal grade hydrogen peroxide, Glands, and other organs for organo-therapeutic use, Homoeopathic siddha or biochemical systems medicaments |
12% |
Surgical products |
12% |
Disinfectants, Tampons |
18% |
Wheelchairs |
18% |
Hot water bags |
28% |
Wing scale |
28% |
In the list of GST imposed health care services, there are a few services which are not liable for GST. Below are the details about the same.
Stem cell storage services are offered by cord blood banks, as well as any other services related to such preservation.
Services provided by a veterinary hospital for the treatment of animals or birds.
Ambulance-related services provided to the victim by a third party.
Treatments and procedures, such as plastic surgery.
Drugs and medications used during therapy, hospital amenities such lodging, food, nursing, etc.
Services associated with blood bank sourcing.
Treatment provided by Yoga centres.
Treatment provided to dogs.
There is a saying that 'Health is Wealth,' which suggests that when a person's health is excellent, everything else falls into place. Every new change brings with it both positive and negative effects and GST has impacted the healthcare industry in both ways. GST has been implemented to eliminate multiple types of taxes, including service tax, duty tax, and so on and bring uniformity as well as transparency to the tax system.