Overview
- Utilisation of AB-PMJAY rose from 58.7% of spine surgeries in 2023 to 73.5% in 2024, while self-paid procedures fell from 37.8% to 18.9%.
- Across 410 cases, degenerative disorders comprised 46.1% and traumatic injuries 33.4%, with procedures ranging from decompression to complex instrumented fusions.
- All insured surgeries used implants approved within predefined reimbursement packages, largely domestically manufactured, with no gross differences in early postoperative outcomes noted.
- PGIMER clinicians said the scheme reduced out-of-pocket spending and broadened access to advanced, implant-intensive care for economically vulnerable patients.
- Authors urged stronger clinical governance, continuous audit, evidence-based indications, periodic reimbursement updates, digital integration, and postoperative rehabilitation coverage.