Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare
Treatment from CGHS
Empanelled Hospitals
As per the existing
guidelines, a CGHS beneficiary is required to obtain permission from his
administrative Department / Office or CMO in charge (in case of pensioner
beneficiary) to avail medical treatment in a CGHS empanelled private hospital.
However, in case of emergency he can go to any hospital whether empanelled or
not, to avail medical treatment. This provision is necessary to ensure proper
medical treatment of a CGHS beneficiary in consultation with the Government
specialists. This is also a measure of ‘checks and balances’ to ensure
financial propriety and optimum utilization of public money.
This Ministry has been
receiving representations from the individuals; Pensioners Associations etc. to
allow the CGHS beneficiaries to take treatment from the CGHS empanelled private
hospitals without obtaining the requisite permission. However, their requests
have not been acceded to as the present referral system is considered necessary
in the interest of the beneficiaries and it is also necessary as a check and
balance measure to ensure financial propriety.
CGHS is already providing
comprehensive and hassle free healthcare services to its beneficiaries through
its large network of Wellness Centres and empanelled private hospitals and
diagnostic /imaging centres. With a view to further simplify and liberalize the
procedures in CGHS to make its services more hassle free, the requirement of
mandatory permission for undertaking diagnostic tests and investigations has
been done away with w.e.f. 1st January, 2013. In addition, ‘Continuous
Empanelment Scheme’ has also been revived at all CGHS locations to empanel more
number of eligible private hospitals to enhance accessibility and availability
of medical services to the beneficiaries in a hassle free manner.
This information was
given by the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare ShriGhulamNabi
Azadin written reply to a question in the LokSabha yesterday.
