Newz Desk, Durgapur: Cardiologists from private hospitals in Bengal have urged the Centre and the state government to revise the package rate for pacemaker implantation under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, warning that the existing ceiling may make it difficult for hospitals to provide procedures using standard-quality devices.
More than 50 cardiologists from private hospitals have reportedly approached the state health department and the Union health ministry, seeking a revision of the pacemaker package under the central health scheme.
Under Ayushman Bharat, the cost of a cardiac pacemaker is capped at ₹75,000, while the procedure carries a separate package of ₹33,000. According to hospital officials, the device ceiling has remained unchanged since the scheme was launched in 2018. Doctors have pointed out the difference with the erstwhile Swasthya Sathi package, under which the rate for an MRI-compatible pacemaker was ₹1.65 lakh, along with ₹30,000 for the implantation procedure.
A cardiologist said the higher device component under Swasthya Sathi enabled private hospitals to use imported pacemakers, which are widely used because of their established quality and performance. With the lower Ayushman Bharat ceiling, doctors claimed that vendors were unwilling to supply similar devices at the approved rate.
Doctors have also highlighted the impact of currency depreciation and rising device costs since 2018. Most pacemakers used in India are imported, particularly from Europe and the US, according to cardiologists. The cardiologists have urged the authorities to review the package in view of current device costs so that beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat can continue to receive pacemaker treatment without compromising on device quality.
