Tamil Nadu Records Lowest OOP Medical Spending in Public Hospitals According to the National Sample Survey (NSS) report titled “Household Social Consumption: Health”, Tamil Nadu recorded the lowest Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenditure (OOPME) for hospitalisation in public hospitals among major Indian States. 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 covered hospitalisation expenditure incurred during the previous 365 days, excluding childbirth-related treatment. Despite low expenditure in public hospitals, Tamil Nadu reported very high OOPME levels in private and charitable hospitals. Across all hospitals (urban and rural combined), the average OOPME in Tamil Nadu stood at ₹44,535 compared to the national average of ₹34,064. In charitable hospitals, the average OOPME in rural areas was ₹1,68,697, while in urban areas it was ₹53,237. In private hospitals, OOPME was ₹72,979 in rural areas and ₹75,149 in urban areas. The overall average OOPME for private hospitalisation in Tamil Nadu was ₹74,168, much higher than the national average of ₹50,508. The findings indicate strong affordability in the State’s public healthcare system,
