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Cancer Scans Now Covered by State Health Schemes
18 Oct
Summary
- PET-CT scans are now part of state health schemes for cancer patients.
- This inclusion aims to make advanced cancer diagnosis more accessible.
- Costs for PET-CT scans will be covered under MJPJAY and Ayushman Bharat.
Maharashtra's public health department has expanded its health coverage to include PET-CT scans under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) and Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. This decision, effective from October 15, integrates the advanced diagnostic procedure into 63 cancer treatment packages and allows it as a standalone diagnostic for 13 specific cancer treatments.
The state health minister highlighted that this initiative stems from recommendations by a specialized study committee, addressing demands from citizens and healthcare providers. The aim is to improve cancer treatment accessibility, enable earlier detection, and reduce the financial strain on patients, particularly those in rural and semi-urban areas where such high-end diagnostics were previously unaffordable or unavailable.
Costs for these scans, such as Rs20,500 for a whole-body PET-CT scan, will now be covered for eligible beneficiaries. However, the benefit is contingent on specialist certification of medical necessity and requires empanelled hospitals to have in-house PET-CT facilities and adhere to prior approval protocols. This measure is expected to facilitate better staging and treatment planning, ultimately benefiting thousands of cancer patients.
