Surgery Costs in India Jump 300% in a Decade: Why Adequate Health Insurance Matters

Over the past 10 years, surgery costs in India have witnessed an unprecedented rise, increasing by 250% to 300%, according to a recent analysis by Policybazaar. This surge has left a significant section of the population financially vulnerable when faced with medical emergencies. Whether it’s advanced surgeries or routine procedures, almost every treatment has seen a sharp rise in cost.

Major Surgeries Now Cost Upwards of ₹50 Lakh

Some of the most advanced and critical medical procedures — such as heart transplants, kidney and liver treatments, and cancer surgeries — have become significantly more expensive. For instance, a cancer surgery that cost ₹13.5 lakh in 2013 now amounts to ₹50.8 lakh in 2024. Similarly, the cost of a heart transplant has climbed from ₹9.8 lakh to over ₹34 lakh during the same period.

These steep increases reflect not only medical inflation but also technological advancements, including robotic-assisted surgeries and AI-integrated procedures, which have improved outcomes but escalated expenses.

Even Routine Surgeries Are No Longer Affordable

The spike in healthcare costs hasn’t been limited to life-saving treatments. Common surgeries such as cataract removal and hernia repair have also become more expensive. Cataract surgery, for example, has increased from ₹35,000 in 2016 to ₹1.26 lakh in 2025 — nearly a fourfold rise.

This trend demonstrates that even seemingly minor medical interventions can now impose a significant financial burden, particularly for individuals without health insurance.

Emotional and Financial Toll on Uninsured Families

One of the more concerning aspects highlighted in the report is the emotional and financial toll on families who remain uninsured. In the face of unexpected medical costs, many delay treatment, deplete savings, or resort to high-interest loans. This not only affects the patient’s recovery but also pushes households into long-term financial distress.

According to the survey, around 75% of Indians still pay for healthcare out of pocket — a figure that underscores the lack of financial protection for the majority of the population.

Health Insurance Plans: An Evolving Safety Net

As medical inflation continues to outpace general inflation in India, the role of health insurance is becoming more prominent. A comprehensive health cover of ₹1 crore for a couple aged 35 in Delhi now costs around ₹2,000–2,500 per month, approximately ₹24,000 to ₹30,000 annually.

Such plans typically provide cashless hospitalisation, organ transplant cover, chemotherapy, robotic surgeries, mental health benefits, and even outpatient department (OPD) care. With healthcare rapidly evolving, such features are becoming essential rather than optional.

Conclusion

With the growing adoption of AI-based diagnostics, robotic surgery tools, and advanced treatment protocols, healthcare in India is undergoing a technological revolution. However, this evolution comes at a cost — one that is increasingly being passed on to the patient.

The report suggests that delaying or avoiding investment in health coverage may result in far greater financial strain than the cost of regular insurance premiums. As the healthcare landscape advances, the cost of inaction could potentially prove much higher than one anticipates.

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