GST on Medical Services in India (What's Exempt & What's Taxable)
Most medical and healthcare services in India are exempt from GST — but not all. Hospitals, clinical establishments, and diagnostic labs are exempt, while cosmetic procedures and medical equipment rentals attract GST. This guide clarifies what is exempt and what is taxable with SAC codes.
By Arjun Sharma· GST & Tax Compliance Specialist···Reviewed for GST accuracy
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GST on Healthcare Services
Service
SAC Code
GST Rate
Hospital treatment & surgery
9993
Exempt
Diagnostic services (pathology, radiology)
9993
Exempt
Ambulance services
9993
Exempt
Cosmetic surgery (non-essential)
9997
18%
Veterinary services
9993
Exempt
Health insurance premium
N/A
18%
Medical equipment rental
9997
18%
When Do Hospitals Need GST Registration?
Hospitals and clinical establishments providing only exempt services are not required to register for GST regardless of turnover. However, if a hospital also provides taxable services (cosmetic procedures, cafeteria, parking, pharmacy retail), it must register once total turnover exceeds ₹20 lakh. The taxable and exempt services must be tracked separately, and ITC can only be claimed on inputs related to taxable services.
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No. Services provided by clinical establishments for diagnosis, treatment, or care of illness, injury, or disability are fully exempt from GST.
Is GST charged on medicines?
Medicines sold at a pharmacy attract GST: life-saving drugs 5%, most prescription drugs 5–12%, OTC medicines 12%. Ayurvedic medicines are taxed at 12%.
What about doctor consultation fees?
Services by doctors in their professional capacity (consultation, diagnosis, treatment) are exempt from GST, whether in a hospital or private clinic.
Are diagnostic lab tests subject to GST?
No. Pathology, blood tests, X-rays, MRI, and all diagnostic services by clinical laboratories are exempt from GST.
Why Businesses Stop Using Excel for GST Invoices
Manual GST calculation mistakes
One wrong CGST/SGST split or a misapplied rate triggers notices and ITC denial for your buyer.
Slow invoice creation
Copying last month's Excel file, updating dates, recalculating — 20 minutes for what should take 30 seconds.
Formatting breaks on every device
Excel invoices look different on every printer and PDF converter. Clients complain about unreadable layouts.
No easy sharing or payment link
Sending PDFs over WhatsApp with no way for clients to pay directly slows down collections.
Incorrect tax type (IGST vs CGST+SGST)
Excel can't auto-detect intra vs inter-state supply. Wrong tax type = ITC rejected for your buyer.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax, legal, or financial advice. GST rules and rates are subject to change. Consult a qualified CA or tax professional before making compliance decisions.
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