Centre scraps location-based CGHS eligibility restrictions

New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has removed the geographical restrictions for serving Central government employees to avail themselves of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), effective immediately. In an office memorandum on September 17, the ministry said the decision followed a review of difficulties faced by serving Central government employees who reside or are posted outside the prescribed geographical coverage of CGHS or in cities not covered by the scheme.

“It has been decided to totally dispense with the existing geographical criterion for determining eligibility of serving Central government employees, for availing CGHS facilities,” the Ministry said.

The memorandum said serving Central government employees residing outside the prescribed area and currently availing facilities under the Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944 (CS(MA) Rules), solely because their residence or posting falls outside CGHS coverage, may exercise a one-time option to become CGHS beneficiaries. The option will be subject to fulfilment of other applicable eligibility conditions and payment of the prescribed CGHS contribution or subscription. Employees who do not exercise the option, where available under the memorandum, will continue to be governed by the CS(MA) Rules, 1944. According to the latest memorandum, the option to join CGHS will be a one-time decision and, once exercised, will be final and binding, subject to applicable eligibility criteria. The option exercised by the principal beneficiary will apply to all eligible dependents. The entitlement cannot be split between CGHS and the CS(MA) Rules within the same family. Employees opting for CGHS will continue to pay the prescribed contribution or subscription irrespective of their place of residence or posting.

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