A total of 410 spine surgeries were analysed during the study period. Of these, 67.3% (276 cases) were funded under PM-JAY, while 26.8 % (110 cases) were self-financed.
In a significant validation of India’s flagship public health insurance programme, a new study from the PGI, Chandigarh, has demonstrated a marked improvement in access to complex spine surgery following the expanded utilisation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). The study, entitled ‘Impact of Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) on access to spine surgery at a tertiary care centre in North India: A retrospective analysis,’ has been published in the Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma (2026).
Conducted by the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, PGI, the research analysed spine surgeries performed over two years from January 2023 to December 2024. The findings reveal a substantial and statistically significant shift from self-financed spine surgeries to publicly funded care under PM-JAY, underscoring the scheme’s growing role in reducing catastrophic health expenditure for economically vulnerable patients requiring implant-intensive, high-cost procedures.
Prof Vivek Lal, director, PGI, said the study highlights the transformative potential of publicly funded health insurance when aligned with institutional capacity. “This study clearly demonstrates how Ayushman Bharat is reshaping access to advanced surgical care by removing financial barriers that once excluded large sections of society. At PGI, we are witnessing a tangible shift where the ability to pay no longer determines the ability to receive complex, life-altering spine surgery. This is a powerful example of public policy translating into real, measurable health equity.”
A total of 410 spine surgeries were analysed during the study period. Of these, 67.3% (276 cases) were funded under PM-JAY, while 26.8 % (110 cases) were self-financed. Importantly, PM-JAY utilisation increased sharply from 58.7% in 2023 to 73.5 per cent in 2024, accompanied by a steep decline in self-paid procedures from 37.8% to 18.9%. Degenerative spinal disorders accounted for the largest proportion of cases (46.1%), followed by traumatic spinal injuries (33.4%), with surgeries spanning a wide spectrum, from decompression and stabilisation to complex instrumented fusion procedures. The utilisation of PM-JAY extended across trauma, deformity, tumour, infections, and revision spine surgeries, reflecting growing institutional confidence in delivering advanced spine care within fixed reimbursement frameworks.
The study was conducted by Dr Vishal Kumar, Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, PGI, along with Dr Sarvdeep Singh Dhatt and their team, under the mentorship and guidance of Prof Vijay G Goni, head, Department of Orthopedics, PGI. The team noted that spine surgery is among the most financially demanding areas of modern healthcare, making it a critical test case for the effectiveness of public health insurance.
Dr Vishal Kumar stated, “Spine surgery involves expensive implants, advanced imaging, and prolonged hospital care, which traditionally placed it beyond the reach of many patients. Our analysis shows that PM-JAY has significantly improved access across a broad range of spinal pathologies, while also reducing out-of-pocket expenditure. The year-on-year rise in PM-JAY-funded surgeries reflects growing patient awareness, administrative streamlining, and institutional adaptation to the scheme,” Dr Kumar said.
All PM-JAY-funded procedures in the study were performed using implants approved under predefined reimbursement packages, largely comprising domestically manufactured devices. While formal outcome comparisons were beyond the scope of the study, no gross differences in early postoperative outcomes were observed. Beyond individual patient benefit, the authors emphasise the broader socio-economic implications of improved access to timely spine surgery. Early intervention in spinal disorders can prevent permanent neurological deficits, reduce long-term disability, and enable patients to return to productive social and economic roles.
Story continues below this ad
The study also warns that expanding coverage must be accompanied by robust clinical governance, continuous audit, and adherence to evidence-based surgical indications to prevent over-utilisation and ensure equitable implementation. Periodic revision of reimbursement packages improved digital integration, and inclusion of postoperative rehabilitation within insurance coverage were identified as key policy priorities.
Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India.
Professional Profile
Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions.
Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025)
Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture:
1. Public Health & PGIMER
"PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx.
"Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare.
"Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area.
2. Education & Institutional Governance
"Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms.
"Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking.
3. Art, Culture & Heritage
"Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status.
"Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful."
Signature Style
Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions.
X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More
