How has Ayushman Bharat impacted spine surgery access in North India?

Ayushman Bharat has significantly improved access to spine surgeries in North India, with 276 out of 410 patients at PGI receiving financial aid under the scheme between January 2023 and December 2024.

What percentage of spine surgeries were covered by PM-JAY in 2024?

The utilization of the PM-JAY scheme for spine surgeries increased to 73.5% in 2024, up from 58.7% in 2023, while self-paid procedures declined.

What types of spinal conditions are being treated with PM-JAY assistance?

PM-JAY assistance covers a wide range of spinal conditions, including degenerative disorders, traumatic injuries, deformities, tumors, infections, and revision surgeries.

Home / Health / Ayushman Bharat Boosts Spine Surgery Access

Ayushman Bharat Boosts Spine Surgery Access

4 Feb

•

Summary

Ayushman Bharat scheme aided 276 of 410 spine surgery patients.
PM-JAY utilization rose from 58.7% in 2023 to 73.5% in 2024.
Scheme improved access for degenerative disorders and trauma.

Ayushman Bharat Boosts Spine Surgery Access

Spine surgeries, known for their high costs, are becoming more accessible in North India due to the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). Between January 2023 and December 2024, a total of 410 patients underwent spine surgeries at PGI, with 276 receiving crucial financial assistance through the central government's PM-JAY scheme.

Research indicates a substantial rise in the scheme's utilization, climbing from 58.7% in 2023 to 73.5% in 2024. Concurrently, procedures paid for out-of-pocket decreased from 37.8% to 18.9%. This shift highlights the growing impact of PM-JAY in making complex medical interventions affordable.

The surgeries covered a broad spectrum of conditions, predominantly degenerative spinal disorders (46.1%) and traumatic spinal injuries (33.4%). The PM-JAY scheme proved effective across various surgical needs, including decompression, stabilization, and complex fusion procedures, demonstrating increasing trust in delivering advanced spine care within the scheme's reimbursement framework.