Amidst the discussions about the 8th Pay Commission, a very wonderful and relieving news has come to light for lakhs of central government employees. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has made a major change in the rules of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and has abolished the condition of 5 km area limit forever.
Now you will get the benefit of treatment from any corner of the country
According to the official order issued by the EHS section of the ministry, now central employees posted or living in any part of the country will be able to freely avail the benefits of CGHS health facility. This explosive new rule of the government has been implemented with immediate effect, which has eased the problems of employees living in remote areas.
Know what was the old 5 kilometer problem
According to the old rules of 2018, the benefit of CGHS was available only to those employees who lived or performed their duties within a radius of 5 kilometers of a CGHS Wellness Centre. Employees who were posted outside this prescribed distance were forced to resort to medical bill reimbursement under CS(MA) Rules 1944.
Employees working in remote areas or non-CGHS cities had to face huge difficulties in getting treatment due to this strict restriction of 5 kilometers. To end this hustle and bustle of the employees, the government has completely abolished this old measure of distance.
Amazing 'one-time option' for employees
According to this new and latest order of the Government, serving Central employees who are currently availing medical facilities under CS(MA) Rules 1944 due to living outside the CGHS area, are now being given an excellent one-time option.
By choosing this special option, any employee can easily become a beneficiary of CGHS. However, for this, employees will have to deposit monthly CGHS subscription as per their pay matrix.
Special care will have to be taken of these important conditions
The Health Ministry has set some very important terms and conditions to avail this one-time option, which is very important for every employee to keep in mind:
- You will get the chance only once: Employees will get this option to choose CGHS only once. Once the option is submitted, it will be considered final and no changes can be made in the future.
- The entire family will be covered: This decision taken by the main employee will be equally applicable to his entire family and all his dependents. It will not happen at all that some members of the family stay in CGHS and some come under CS(MA).
- Regular contribution will have to be given: An employee opting for CGHS will have to pay the prescribed CGHS contribution every month, irrespective of his posting or place of residence in the country.
- You will not get double benefit: An employee or his family cannot claim treatment under both CGHS and CS(MA) schemes simultaneously.
- Written undertaking required: The employee will have to give an affidavit that he is not taking double benefit of both the schemes. If any incorrect information is given, strict disciplinary action will be taken and the benefit given will be recovered.
- Old rule on not choosing an option: Employees who do not opt for CGHS will continue to be governed by the CS(MA) Rules 1944 as before.
For which employees will CGHS be absolutely mandatory?
The Ministry has also made it completely clear in its order that it is completely mandatory for the central employees who live or work inside the CGHS covered area i.e. those district headquarters where CGHS Wellness Centers are already present, to join this scheme. Such employees cannot opt out of CGHS in favor of CS(MA) Rules. Just before the formation of the 8th Pay Commission and the implementation of its recommendations, this step of the government will prove to be no less than a big boon for lakhs of employees working in remote areas.