PM-JAY Boosts Spine Surgery Access: PGI Chandigarh Study Reveals Transformative Impact

• A PGI Chandigarh study shows a significant increase in access to complex spine surgeries due to Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.
• The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma (2026), confirms PM-JAY's role in reducing financial barriers for vulnerable patients.
• Out of 410 spine surgeries at PGI between Jan 2023 and Dec 2024, 67.3% were PM-JAY funded, with utilization rising from 58.7% in 2023 to 73.5% in 2024.
• Prof Vivek Lal and Dr Vishal Kumar highlighted PM-JAY's potential to reshape access to advanced surgical care and reduce out-of-pocket expenditure.
• The study emphasizes the socio-economic benefits of timely spine surgery and recommends updates to reimbursement packages and inclusion of postoperative rehabilitation.