Average Out of Pocket Spending in Government Hospitals Stands at Just ₹2,496 compared to national average of ₹6,631.Odisha has emerged as one of the most affordable states in India for hospital treatment, with patients spending significantly less on healthcare than the national average, according to the latest findings from the National Sample Survey (NSS) on Household Social Consumption  Health conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

The survey revealed that patients in Odisha incurred an average out-of-pocket expenditure of ₹2,496 per hospitalization in government-run healthcare facilities, placing the state among those with the lowest hospitalization costs in the country. The figure is substantially lower than the national average of ₹6,631 spent by patients receiving treatment in public hospitals.

The report further showed that the average out-of-pocket expenditure per hospitalization case in Odisha, excluding childbirth-related admissions, stood at ₹16,948. This is nearly 50 percent lower than the national average of ₹34,064, highlighting the state’s success in reducing the financial burden of healthcare on households.

The findings are based on data collected from 5,288 households across rural and urban Odisha as part of the NSS 80th Round survey. Out of pocket expenditure refers to the direct payments made by patients and their families for hospitalization related costs, including medicines, diagnostic tests, consultation fees, medical consumables, and other treatment expenses not covered through insurance or government reimbursement schemes.

The survey also indicated that hospitalization costs in Odisha’s private healthcare sector remain below the national average. Patients receiving treatment in private hospitals spent an average of ₹40,753 per hospitalization, compared to the all India average of ₹50,508. This suggests that healthcare services in Odisha are comparatively more affordable across both public and private healthcare settings.

At the national level, the NSS report highlighted persistent concerns over healthcare spending despite improvements in insurance coverage and public health infrastructure. The average out of pocket expenditure for outpatient care across India was estimated at ₹861 per visit, while the median expenditure for hospitalization in public hospitals remained ₹1,100. The report also noted a steady increase in health insurance coverage, with nearly half of India’s rural population and over 44 percent of the urban population now covered under various health protection schemes.

Healthcare experts attribute Odisha’s relatively low hospitalization costs to sustained investments in public healthcare infrastructure, expanded access to government funded treatment programs, and initiatives aimed at improving affordability and accessibility of essential medical services. The survey findings reinforce the importance of strengthening public health systems in reducing catastrophic health expenditure and improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

The latest NSS data positions Odisha as a leading example of how targeted healthcare policies and public sector investments can contribute to lower patient spending while expanding access to quality medical care.