Expert panel suggests removing cataract surgeries, sterilisation procedures from AB-PMJAY

Citing that cataract surgeries and sterilisation procedures are covered under existing national programmes, an expert panel has suggested removing these from the list of services under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

The panel headed by Niti Aayog member Vinod K Paul has also recommended constituting a separate committee to ensure there is no overlapping of services provided under the AB-PMJAY and creating a mechanism to check duplication.

A final decision over removing cataract surgeries and sterilisation procedures -- vasectomy and tubectomy -- is yet to be taken.

"According to the panel, procedures or ailments which are already covered in existing national programmes, should be removed from the list of packages offered under the insurance (scheme) to check duplication or any kind of fraud.

"During a review, we suspected double dipping as we found that same names figured on the lists of patients treated under national programmes and those applying to avail ...