Evaluating the satisfaction level of PM-ABJAY among Maintenance Dialysis Kidney Patients at a Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) are important health concerns in India, particularly because patients with advanced kidney disease often require long-term and expensive treatment such as haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation. The continuing cost of renal care can place considerable financial pressure on patients and their families and may result in high out-of-pocket expenditure and catastrophic health expenditure. To provide financial protection and improve access to healthcare, the Government of India introduced Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-ABJAY), which provides cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for eligible beneficiaries requiring secondary and tertiary care. The scheme also covers several nephrology- and urology-related treatment packages. However, the availability of financial protection does not necessarily ensure its effective use. Patients may face difficulties when they have limited knowledge of their eligibility, available benefits, empanelled hospitals, treatment packages, or the procedures required to obtain services under the scheme. This study therefore aims to assess the awareness, accessibility, conceptual knowledge, and structural understanding of PM-ABJAY among kidney patients receiving tertiary healthcare services. The study further seeks to identify gaps in beneficiaries' understanding and access to the scheme and to generate evidence that may assist healthcare institutions and programme administrators in improving beneficiary communication, support mechanisms, and utilisation of available financial protection.