New Delhi: The government has announced a cashless treatment facility for CGHS beneficiaries (both serving and pensioners) at 3 prime hospitals, namely- AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and JIPMER Puducherry. CGHS beneficiaries will be able to avail direct access to state-of-the-art treatment facilities available in these medical institutions. This initiative will eliminate upfront payments and individual reimbursement claims, reducing paperwork, saving time, and expediting the settlement of individual claims.
In the presence of Shri Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, the MoA to this effect was signed between the three medical institutions- AIIMS, New Delhi, PGIMER, Chandigarh, and JIPMER, Puducherry, and CGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
This initiative builds upon the six previously signed MoAs between CGHS and various All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) located in Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Jodhpur, Raipur, and Rishikesh.
During the signing of the MoA, Shri Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated, ‘The extension of patient care facilities at AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and JIPMER Puducherry to CGHS beneficiaries on a cashless basis will be particularly beneficial for pensioner beneficiaries of CGHS.’
Further adding he said, ‘It eliminates the need for them to submit individual reimbursement claims and follow up for approvals. With this new initiative, CGHS beneficiaries will have direct access to state-of- the-art treatment facilities available in these medical institutions, without the hassle of making upfront payments and seeking reimbursements from CGHS. This streamlined process will save time, reduce paperwork, and expedite the settlement of individual claims. Previously, CGHS pensioner beneficiaries availing treatment at these institutions were required to make payments upfront and claim reimbursement later from CGHS’.
The development was acknowledged by the Union Health Secretary, who emphasized the importance of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) as a service-oriented division of the Ministry of Health. This scheme provides medical services to both current and retired government employees. The government intends to increase the number of hospitals under the CGHS to meet the growing demands of patients and offer high-quality tertiary care facilities.
Shri Bhushan, in addition, highlighted the benefits of this agreement, which include simplifying the lengthy formalities and expediting access to medical care for a significant portion of the population. He also mentioned that this agreement will expand the availability of CGHS services nationwide, allowing beneficiaries to access CGHS facilities at the INIs institutions in their respective states. Furthermore, the CGHS has made revisions to certain treatment and medical care rates, making it easier for patients to access necessary treatment facilities.
The salient features of this initiative are as under:
- Cashless treatment will be available in outpatient departments (OPD), investigations, and indoor treatment for CGHS pensioners and other eligible categories of beneficiaries.
- The three institutions will raise credit bills for CGHS pensioners and other eligible beneficiaries, and CGHS will preferably make payment within 30 days of receiving the bills.
- CGHS beneficiaries will be admitted only upon the production of a valid CGHS Beneficiary ID Card for treatment at these institutions.
- Separate Help Desks and accounting systems will be created for CGHS beneficiaries at AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and JIPMER Puducherry.
- Medicines prescribed by the doctors at these institutions, whether for OPD treatment or at the time of discharge, will be collected by beneficiaries through CGHS.
- CGHS beneficiaries will no longer require referrals to access healthcare facilities at these institutions.
The MoA signing ceremony was attended by Officer on Special Duty, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Sudhansh Pant, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Smt. V. Hekali Zhimoni, among other senior government officials. Directors of AIIMS New Delhi, Dr. M Srinivas, Medical superintendent, PGIMER Chandigarh, Dr. Vipin Kaushal, and Director, JIPMER Puducherry, Dr. Rakesh Agrawal were also present at the MOA signing event.
