Central Government Health Scheme

CGHS or Central Government Health Scheme was started by the central government of India in 1954. Under this scheme, central government employees are provided with healthcare facilities through a medical plan card. economy of the central government. This is a special central government health insurance for government employees only. Employee medical facilities are provided by CGHS, Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Allopathy and Homeopathy clinics.

CGHS or Employee Health Program Center The government mainly aims to improve the health of individuals by providing them with hassle-free medical service facility. The CGHS program is a much broader concept of health insurance. So before taking the CGHS scheme, it is recommended that you understand the various components of the scheme. Broadly the following medical services can be availed under the health insurance central government scheme:

• Dispensary services
• Consultation facilities by the special doctors at empanelled hospitals
• Laboratory examinations, X-Ray and ECG
• Hospitalization
• Purchase, storage, and supply of medicines and the other medical requirements
• Health education to the beneficiaries
• Maternity, childcare and family welfare services.

Features and Benefits under Central Government Health Insurance Scheme

Following facilities/ coverage are given to the beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme:

• The benefit of reimbursement of medical treatment expenses if there is an emergency case. This is applicable to both private and government hospitals
• You can request reimbursement if you purchase hearing aids, appliances, and artificial limbs
• Expenses on maternity, childcare services, and family welfare are coveredCashless treatment can be availed by pensioners and beneficiaries if they get the treatment in diagnostics centers and empanelled hospitals.
• Expenses related to the Indian system of medicines – AYUSH (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), medical consultation, and medicines are covered.
• Expenses related to the OPD treatment along with medications are covered
• Expenses related to the health experts’ consultations at polyclinic or government hospitals are covered
• Expenses on the treatment at empanelled and government hospitals are covered.

Eligibility Criteria for Central Government Health Scheme

The foremost eligibility criterion of the central government health scheme is that it is for central government employees. However, there are certain other categories that are also covered in the scheme. Given below is an indicative list; for an exhaustive list, you can visit the official CGHS website:

• Those employees who work for the central government and take payment from the central civil estimates
• Members of the family whose salaries are paid by the Central Civil Estimates are entitled to benefits
• Employees of the Central Government who reside in the CGHS-covered areas and their families
• Individuals who get pensions from the central government
• Former Vice Presidents of India and their immediate family
• Current and former Governors and Lieutenant Governors and their immediate family
• Railway Board employees
• Current and former Parliament members
• Employees of the post and the telegraph department
• Civilian defense employees
• Freedom fighters and their family members who are receiving pensions under the Sainik Samman Scheme
• Current and former judges of the Supreme Court and High Court
• Widows receiving family pensions from central government pensioners
• CISF and CAPF personnel who are posted in the CGHS-covered areas and their families as well
• Employees of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee
• Current and former Divisional Accountants and Divisional Accounts Officers
• Employees of the Kendriya Vidyalayas Sangathan who are stationed at

1. Delhi and NCR
2. Chennai
3. Mumbai
4. Kolkata
5. Hyderabad
6. Bengaluru.

Cities covered under CGHS

There are approximately 71 cities where CGHS is operational, including:

1. Agartala
2. Ahmedabad
3. Bangalore
4. Bhopal
5. Bhubaneshwar
6. Chandigarh
7. Chennai
8. Delhi
9. Gandhinagar
10. Gaya
11. Gangtok
12. Kanpur
13. Mumbai
14. Ranchi
15. Shimla
16. Varanasi
17. Hyderabad
18. Jammu
19. Patna
20. Visakhapatnam, etc

CGHS online appointment process

If you want to book an appointment online under the CGHS scheme, then you have to follow the following procedure:

• Step 1: Go to the official website of the CGHS scheme.

• Step 2: On the top menu bar of the home page, click on the beneficiary corner.
• Step 3 : A pop-up menu will appear. Then, select beneficiary login.
• Step 4: Enter the beneficiary ID and password to sign in to the account. If you are a new user/have forgotten the password, then generate/reset a new password.
• Step 5: Check the beneficiary details and go to the next page to select one option from Speciality, CGHS dispensary, and doctor. Click on ‘Proceed’ to visit the next page.
• Step 6: Book your appointment on the calendar that is displayed on the screen at your convenience
• Step 7: Then select proceed to book an appointment. Remember that appointment changes can be made by choosing the option changes in the speciality.
• Step 8: Afterwards, the confirmation message regarding the date of the appointment and your details will appear
• Step 9: Confirm the appointment by clicking on it. You will receive a confirmation message on your registered mobile number

What are the situations that are not covered by the central government health insurance?

Central government health insurance card holders will not be able to enjoy the benefits of the central government health insurance. program in the following cases:

• In the event of a declared emergency, medical treatment can be provided at any hospital, but the CGHS card or program reimbursement benefit Central government health care is issued to those who receive treatment at the place where the CGHS card is registered.
• Pre-determined medical care claim amounts for pensioners and eligible beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Insurance Program.

CGHS Card

Government of India extends the benefits of the CGHS scheme with the help of the CGHS card. It was a white plastic card with the beneficiary’s photo. At the top of the card, the beneficiary number is assigned to benefit from the program’s benefits. Card stripes can be of the following colors:

• Yellow: Journalist
• Blue: State employee
• Green: Retired, freedom fighter, former congressman , etc.
• Red: Member of Parliament of India.

The CGHS card is valid until the employee retires. The card can be renewed by submitting the form. But the program cannot be transferred.

How do I apply for a CGHS card?

Online

• Step 1: You must visit the website https://cghs.gov.in/CghsGovIn/faces/ViewPage.xhtml to complete the online application form.
• Step 2: Fill out the main form. Verify the application form and attach your photo to the specified fields.
• Step 3: Attach the required documents to the application form
• Step 4: Submit the application form and documents online
• Step 5: Download the form and print it out.

Offline

• If you wish to submit the application form offline, you must ensure that it has been approved by the Chief of Staff on duty. You must send the application form to the office of the Delhi Additional Director Headquarters. Alternatively, you can mail this application form and documents to the additional director’s offices in other cities.
• If you are a serving employee, you can apply for an insurance plan. central government retiree health care. You must send an application with a bank draft and attachments to CHGS from the staff’s office.

Documents Required

Central Government. Health care plan for retirees

• Draft of instant bank payment
• Temporary copy of PPO/PPO/Certificate of final pay

Central government nurse. Government Employee Health Program

• Evidence of Address
• Evidence of Dependent’s Age
• Proof of Dependent Residence
• If Dependent is physical disability, disability certificate issued by a valid authority Attached.

Is Central Government Health Scheme available in Kerala ?

Yes, the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is available in Kerala. The scheme provides health care benefits to serving and retired central government employees and their families.

There are 10 CGHS dispensaries in Kerala, located in the following cities:

• Thiruvananthapuram
• Ernakulam
• Kozhikode
• Thrissur
• Alappuzha
• Kollam
• Palakkad
• Kottayam
• Kannur
• Wayanad

CGHS beneficiaries can also avail of medical treatment at empanelled hospitals in Kerala. The list of empanelled hospitals is available on the CGHS website.

To apply for CGHS in Kerala, you can visit the nearest CGHS office or contact the CGHS helpline number. You will need to submit the following documents:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of residence
• Proof of employment
• Family details

Once your application is approved, you will be issued a CGHS card. You can then avail of the benefits of the scheme at any CGHS dispensary or empanelled hospital in Kerala.