Surgery costs in India up 300% in 10 years: Policybazaar calls for higher health insurance cover
Index Fund Corner
Sponsored
| Scheme Name | 1-Year Return | Invest Now | Fund Category | Expense Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Nifty 50 Index Fund | +32.80% | Invest Now | Equity: Large Cap | 0.12% |
| Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund | +38.59% | Invest Now | Equity: Large Cap | 0.21% |
| Axis Nifty Next 50 Index Fund | +71.83% | Invest Now | Equity: Large Cap | 0.25% |
| Axis Nifty 500 Index Fund | — | Invest Now | Equity: Flexi Cap | 0.10% |
| Axis Nifty Midcap 50 Index Fund | +46.03% | Invest Now | Equity: Mid Cap | 0.28% |
The report shows that advanced procedures such as cancer surgeries, heart and kidney transplants, and liver treatments now cost anywhere between ₹18 lakh to ₹50 lakh — a steep rise from 2013 levels.
Even routine surgeries like cataract removal and hernia repairs have seen a multi-fold increase.
For instance, the cost of a cancer surgery rose from ₹13.5 lakh in 2013 to ₹50.8 lakh in 2024.
A heart transplant, which cost ₹9.8 lakh in 2013, now exceeds ₹34 lakh. Common surgeries like cataract have gone from ₹35,000 in 2016 to ₹1.26 lakh in 2025, Policybazaar said.
“This is not just a financial issue — it’s a health crisis,” Policybazaar noted in its findings. The firm attributed the surge in surgery prices to several key drivers: high medical inflation, adoption of advanced technologies, rising demand due to an ageing population, and heavy reliance on imported equipment.
Siddharth Singhal, Head of Health Insurance
at Policybazaar, said, “Over the past decade, the cost of critical surgeries in India has escalated by over 250–300%, creating a silent crisis for millions of families. A ₹1 crore insurance plan today is what a ₹10 lakh cover was a decade ago — it’s the new baseline for comprehensive protection.”
The report also emphasised the emotional toll of being uninsured. Families often delay treatment, take loans, or exhaust their savings when faced with sudden medical costs.
Around 75% of Indians still pay for healthcare out of pocket, the survey found.
Policybazaar pointed out that rising medical costs make it essential for individuals and families to invest in adequate health coverage.
A comprehensive ₹1 crore health insurance plan for a couple aged 35 in Delhi now costs around ₹2,000–2,500 per month — or ₹24,000 to ₹30,000 annually.
Such plans offer cashless hospitalisation, cover for organ transplants, chemotherapy, robotic surgeries, and additional benefits like OPD care and mental health services.
“In a country where a single heart surgery can cost more than a year’s salary, adequate health insurance is no longer optional,” the report stated.
Policybazaar urged consumers highlighted that medical inflation has consistently outpaced general inflation in India. As healthcare continues to evolve with AI tools and robotic surgeries, the cost of inaction may prove far greater than the cost of premium payments.
link
