India’s Leading Surgical Associations Urge Streamlined Insurance Implementation for Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Mumbai: Recognizing the regulatory shift brought about by the IRDAI’s 2024 directive mandating coverage for robotic-assisted surgeries, key surgeon associations in India have stressed the need for uniform implementation across health insurance providers to ensure consistent patient access.
Robotic-assisted surgery offers significant health benefits, including lower recurrence rates, reduced need for blood transfusions, and a measurable decline in mortality. According to Dr. Vivek Bindal, Chairman, Clinical Robotic Surgery Association (India Chapter), “Robotic-assisted surgery is associated with improved clinical outcomes and enhanced patient experience during and after surgery.”
Despite the IRDAI mandate, inconsistencies in claim approvals, sub-limits, and coverage caps across providers still hinder patient access. Dr. Bindal added, “What we now need is consistent coverage inclusion in policy and implementation across providers and insurers alike.”
Dr. Rooma Sinha, Founder President, Association of Gynecological Robotic Surgeons, India, emphasized the need for robotic technology for women facing gynaecological health issues, saying, “No woman suffering from gynaecological conditions should undergo open surgery when minimally invasive techniques, such as robotic-assisted surgery, are available.”
Dr. Randeep Wadhawan, President, Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India, noted that patients prefer robotic-assisted surgery due to its benefits, despite knowing that insurance might not cover the expense.
The experts conclude that collaboration among healthcare providers, insurers, and policymakers is crucial to making robotic-assisted surgery more accessible to a wider population. Dr. Wadhawan added, “Insurance frameworks must evolve to reflect current clinical realities, and payers need to assess the role of RAS in improving long-term outcomes and reducing downstream costs.”
