The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), in collaboration with Serexia Consultancy as Knowledge Partner, convened a high-level roundtable titled “Navigating Reimbursement for Robotic-Assisted Surgeries: Challenges, Insights & Strategic Guidance for Industry” at Federation House, New Delhi.
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from India’s healthcare ecosystem—including insurers, surgeons, healthcare providers, medical technology manufacturers, policymakers, and regulators—to address a pressing issue: the need to modernize reimbursement frameworks for robotic-assisted surgeries (RAS). Participants emphasized that current sub-limits under insurance policies are inadequate and fail to reflect the clinical advantages and technological advancements of RAS.
While the inclusion of robotic surgeries under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)’s Modern Treatment Methods list was seen as a positive step, speakers called for further progress. In particular, they stressed the need for rigorous cost-effectiveness analyses and clinical outcome data to support broader policy inclusion and rational pricing strategies.
“There is a compelling case for identifying specific procedures where robotic surgery demonstrates clear clinical and economic benefits,” said Mr. Segar Sampathkumar, Director – Health, General Insurance Council (GIC). “Insurers should initiate reimbursement for such procedures, supported by robust evidence. Although full-scale coverage will take time, patients may still bear part of the cost beyond standard treatment—provided the decision-making is transparent and data-driven.”
The roundtable also outlined a collaborative roadmap for reimbursement reform. Key suggestions included piloting reimbursement models with select insurers, and establishing a national registry for robotic surgeries to track outcomes and inform future policy development.
“Pilots in government hospitals can generate critical data on safety, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness,” said Dr. K Madan Gopal, Advisor & Head, Public Health Administration, NHSRC. “Equally important is the need for surgeon training and careful selection of procedures suited for robotic intervention—ensuring safety, equity, and sustainability.”
A key recommendation was the formation of a multi-agency task force to lead efforts in areas such as cost modeling, bundled pricing, co-payment structures, inventory management, and public awareness. Speakers also emphasized the importance of patient empowerment through access to transparent information and choices.
“Patients opting for advanced procedures like robotic joint replacements should not be penalized due to unclear or restrictive reimbursement policies,” said Dr. Ravi Gaur, Founder, DRG Path Labs and Director & Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, OncquestLabs Ltd. “FICCI should lead the creation of a task force involving all stakeholders to draft a guidance document on standardization, reimbursement clarity, patient communication, and fair co-payment mechanisms. This document can serve as a foundation for future policy advocacy.”
In conclusion, FICCI announced its commitment to spearheading the development of a comprehensive reimbursement guidance document based on the roundtable’s recommendations. This will be presented to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, IRDAI, and NITI Aayog for policy deliberation.
The roundtable reaffirmed a critical insight: reimbursement is not just an administrative formality after treatment—it is a foundational pillar for enabling access to advanced care, promoting clinical excellence, and supporting sustainable innovation in India's dynamic healthcare environment.