<p>Nine months into the pandemic, doctors in Bengaluru are saying mild and asymptomatic Covid-19 positive cases are best treated at home.</p>.<p>Many hospitals had introduced homecare packages in June-July, when the pandemic numbers were peaking and hospital beds weren’t available<br />easily.</p>.<p>That crisis has eased. But with talk of a second wave being around the corner, hospitals are again geared up with packages for home treatment.</p>.<p>Typically, the packages cover online doctor consultations and nurse interactions.</p>.<p>How affordable are these packages? <span class="italic">Metrolife found corporate hospitals charging between Rs 12,000 and Rs 19,000 for a 14-day package.</span></p>.<p>Some options, such as the ones offered by medical care apps, are cheaper. </p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">MFine</span></strong></p>.<p>On teleconsulting mobile app MFine, plans start at Rs 350 a day. Included are guidelines for caregivers, an itinerary, and free delivery of medicines.</p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">RxDx</span></strong></p>.<p>Healthcare chain RxDx provides packages for seven, 11 and 15 days. They are priced at Rs 2,450, Rs 5,000, and Rs 5,850. “Equipment for monitoring like a thermometer, oximeter and BP apparatus, can be rented against a security deposit of Rs 3,500. Patients can also buy the kit for Rs 4,900,” says a staff member.</p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">Ubiqare</span></strong></p>.<p>The primary package on this app is priced at Rs 4,200, and includes a doctor talking to the patient every alternate day and a nurse checking vitals every day.</p>.<p>An advanced care package comes for Rs 6,000, and includes teleconsultation with a pulmonologist.</p>.<p>An advanced restorative package, at Rs 7,000 includes nutrition and rehab therapy.</p>.<p>“A care kit priced at Rs 4,000 is packed with a pulse oximeter, a digital thermometer and masks,” a staffer says. </p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">Corporate hospitals</span></strong></p>.<p>A plan called Stay i@Home by Apollo Homecare offers a basic plan for Rs 300 a day and an advance plan for Rs 600. A home kit comes for Rs 5,999, with a pulse oximeter, disinfectant, antibacterial wipes, gloves, 60 masks and 10 waste disposal bags.</p>.<p>The Aster Home Isolation Care plan is priced at Rs 8,000 for 14 days. It includes alternate day video consultations with a doctor and telephonic reviews twice a day with a nurse. Its care kit is available for Rs 4,500.</p>.<p>At Fortis, a 17-day home quarantine programme costs Rs 8,000, and comes with app-based self-monitoring.</p>.<p>Columbia Asia Hospital, Hebbal, provides a package for Rs 15,000 for 14 days. A Covid-19 kit is included.</p>.<p>Dr Hirenappa Udnur, consultant-pulmonologist, says, “Hospital admission is only needed for sicker patients. Young and non-diabetic patients and those without comorbidities can be managed with teleconsultation and home isolation.” </p>.<p>Sakra Hospital has packages on offer for Rs 19,000 and Rs 9,500. The former includes more vital reviews and a medical kit. </p>.<p>Dr Subrata Das, senior consultant, internal medicine and diabetology, says, “Apart from convenience for the patient, homecare also protects them from other infections.” </p>.<p><strong>Packages stopped</strong></p>.<p>Some hospitals like Bangalore Hospital, South End Circle, have stopped their homecare packages. “That’s because Covid-19 cases have dropped,” a staffer says.</p>.<p><strong>Caution</strong></p>.<p>Doctors say anyone who experiences oxygen saturation below 95 or has breathlessness should go to a hospital. </p>
<p>Nine months into the pandemic, doctors in Bengaluru are saying mild and asymptomatic Covid-19 positive cases are best treated at home.</p>.<p>Many hospitals had introduced homecare packages in June-July, when the pandemic numbers were peaking and hospital beds weren’t available<br />easily.</p>.<p>That crisis has eased. But with talk of a second wave being around the corner, hospitals are again geared up with packages for home treatment.</p>.<p>Typically, the packages cover online doctor consultations and nurse interactions.</p>.<p>How affordable are these packages? <span class="italic">Metrolife found corporate hospitals charging between Rs 12,000 and Rs 19,000 for a 14-day package.</span></p>.<p>Some options, such as the ones offered by medical care apps, are cheaper. </p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">MFine</span></strong></p>.<p>On teleconsulting mobile app MFine, plans start at Rs 350 a day. Included are guidelines for caregivers, an itinerary, and free delivery of medicines.</p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">RxDx</span></strong></p>.<p>Healthcare chain RxDx provides packages for seven, 11 and 15 days. They are priced at Rs 2,450, Rs 5,000, and Rs 5,850. “Equipment for monitoring like a thermometer, oximeter and BP apparatus, can be rented against a security deposit of Rs 3,500. Patients can also buy the kit for Rs 4,900,” says a staff member.</p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">Ubiqare</span></strong></p>.<p>The primary package on this app is priced at Rs 4,200, and includes a doctor talking to the patient every alternate day and a nurse checking vitals every day.</p>.<p>An advanced care package comes for Rs 6,000, and includes teleconsultation with a pulmonologist.</p>.<p>An advanced restorative package, at Rs 7,000 includes nutrition and rehab therapy.</p>.<p>“A care kit priced at Rs 4,000 is packed with a pulse oximeter, a digital thermometer and masks,” a staffer says. </p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">Corporate hospitals</span></strong></p>.<p>A plan called Stay i@Home by Apollo Homecare offers a basic plan for Rs 300 a day and an advance plan for Rs 600. A home kit comes for Rs 5,999, with a pulse oximeter, disinfectant, antibacterial wipes, gloves, 60 masks and 10 waste disposal bags.</p>.<p>The Aster Home Isolation Care plan is priced at Rs 8,000 for 14 days. It includes alternate day video consultations with a doctor and telephonic reviews twice a day with a nurse. Its care kit is available for Rs 4,500.</p>.<p>At Fortis, a 17-day home quarantine programme costs Rs 8,000, and comes with app-based self-monitoring.</p>.<p>Columbia Asia Hospital, Hebbal, provides a package for Rs 15,000 for 14 days. A Covid-19 kit is included.</p>.<p>Dr Hirenappa Udnur, consultant-pulmonologist, says, “Hospital admission is only needed for sicker patients. Young and non-diabetic patients and those without comorbidities can be managed with teleconsultation and home isolation.” </p>.<p>Sakra Hospital has packages on offer for Rs 19,000 and Rs 9,500. The former includes more vital reviews and a medical kit. </p>.<p>Dr Subrata Das, senior consultant, internal medicine and diabetology, says, “Apart from convenience for the patient, homecare also protects them from other infections.” </p>.<p><strong>Packages stopped</strong></p>.<p>Some hospitals like Bangalore Hospital, South End Circle, have stopped their homecare packages. “That’s because Covid-19 cases have dropped,” a staffer says.</p>.<p><strong>Caution</strong></p>.<p>Doctors say anyone who experiences oxygen saturation below 95 or has breathlessness should go to a hospital. </p>
