Historic decision of the Central Government amid the turmoil of the 8th Pay Commission
Amidst the preparations for the upcoming 8th Central Pay Commission, the Central Government has given a wonderful and historic relief gift to more than 49 lakh working central employees and lakhs of pensioners across the country. The EHS section under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a new official office memorandum (OM) making a major change in the rules of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). This big decision of the government has brought a wave of happiness on the faces of lakhs of government employees across the country.
Mandatory restriction of geographical limit of 5 kilometers ended
Through this new and revolutionary order, the government has completely abolished the old and confusing '5 KM Geographical Restriction' rule applicable around CGHS Wellness Centres. Now, from big metros like Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Jaipur, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chandigarh to central employees posted in remote towns and non-CGHS areas of the country, they will also be able to get direct and easy benefit of cashless health services in top empaneled private and super-speciality hospitals of the country.
What was the old system and why was it a huge problem?
Let us tell you that according to the old rules implemented in the year 2018, this CGHS facility for central employees was largely limited to the scope of their residence or place of posting. Under the old system, an employee was issued a CGHS Beneficiary Card only if he lived or was posted within a radius of 5 kilometers of an active CGHS Wellness Centre.
Additionally, employees who were posted outside this 5 kilometer radius or in smaller towns where no wellness center existed were compulsorily placed under the Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules i.e. CS(MA) Rules 1944. Due to this old system, employees first had to pay huge amounts from their own pockets to get treatment in private or referral hospitals and later had to visit departmental offices for months. Due to non-availability of cashless treatment during the emergency, the employees and their families had to face severe financial crunch.
Now you will get 'one-time option' and all the tension will go away
According to the latest office memorandum (OM No. Z. 16025/227/2026/CGHS-III/EHS) issued by the Health Ministry, the government has abolished this old rule related to distance with immediate effect. Serving central employees who are currently covered under CS(MA) Rules 1944 because they live or work outside the CGHS covered area, have now been given a 'one-time option' by the government. Under this great option, employees can now choose the CGHS scheme as per their wish and easily get an official CGHS plastic card or digital ABHA linked card for themselves and their entire family.
Know what are the strict and clear rules related to this scheme
The Health Ministry has set some very clear and important guidelines to avail this one-time option, which will be mandatory for every employee to follow:
- Final and final decision: This golden opportunity to choose CGHS will be available only once. Once the option is selected and the form is submitted, this decision will be considered completely final and no changes can be made in it in future.
- The rules will apply to the entire family: This decision taken by the employee will be equally applicable to his entire family and all eligible dependents. Some members of the family will not be allowed to share under CGHS and some under CS(MA) at all.
- Monthly subscription will be mandatory: It will be absolutely mandatory for the employees who opt for CGHS to regularly deduct the prescribed CGHS contribution as per their monthly salary (Pay Matrix Level), no matter in which state or district of the country they are posted.
- Strict restrictions on taking double benefits: No employee or his family will be able to claim medical claim or treatment under both the schemes i.e. CGHS and CS(MA) simultaneously. For this the employee will have to give a mandatory undertaking (affidavit). If any kind of wrong information is caught, strict disciplinary action and recovery will be taken.
- Mandatory for covered areas: For employees who are already posted within CGHS covered areas, it will be strictly mandatory for them to remain under the ambit of CGHS and they cannot opt-out of the scheme.
Personnel posted in remote areas of the country will get direct benefits
Amidst the discussions about the implementation of the recommendations of the upcoming 8th Pay Commission, this step of the government is proving to be a historic step to strengthen the standard of living and social security of the central employees. Now Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Defense Civilian personnel, Railways, Department of Posts and personnel of various Central Ministries, deployed in any remote corner of the country, North Eastern States or rural borders, will be able to get quality and completely cashless treatment of critical illnesses in their home town or in any CGHS network hospital across the country.