Staff Reporter / New Delhi
The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday April 12 issued revised the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) package rates for all CGHS beneficiaries.
Along with enhanced rates, the Union Government has also simplified the referral process under CGHS for the benefit of its employees.
“After due examination of demands from stakeholders and taking into consideration the increase in costs of various components of health care, the Union Health Ministry has proposed to initially revise the CGHS package rates of consultation fees, ICU charges and room rent,” MoHFW said in a statement.
There’s not been a revision in the rates since 2014.
A senior Health Ministry official said that the increase in rates associated with the CGHS follows the demand for it from various stakeholders. The decision will increase the burden on the Central government’s exchequer from between ₹240 crore to ₹300 crore.
The Central government has increased the CGHS rates of consultation fee for out-patient department (OPD)/in-patient department (IPD) to ₹350 from ₹150. Similarly, ICU charges have been revised to ₹5,400 (₹862 plus ₹4,500 for private wards, rounded to ₹5,400), including accommodation for all ward entitlements.
The government has also made the referral process easy. Earlier, the beneficiary had to go to the CGHS wellness centre by himself / herself to get the referral for the hospital. Now, if the beneficiary is unable to go to the CGHS wellness centre, he or she can send someone in their place to get the referral. A medical officer will go through the document before allowing the hospital referral.
Moreover, the government has allowed the video call option for referral to ease the process conveniently, especially at times when these options are easily at the disposal of the masses.
According to government data, there are over 44 lakh beneficiaries in the CGHS, with the Centre having over 338 allopathic and 103 Ayush systems across the country.
Consultation Fee
- For OPD Consultation, the rate has been increased from Rs 150 to Rs 350
- For IPD consultation, the rate has been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 350.
ICU charges
The rate has been increased to Rs 5,400 (Rs 862 + Rs 4,500 for Private ward = 5,362- rounded to Rs 5,400) including accommodation for all ward entitlements.
The ICU charges include Rs 750 for non-NABH hospitals and Rs 862 for NABH hospitals includes – monitoring, RMO charges, nursing care and in addition Room rent is as per ward entitlement of beneficiary –general ward / semi-private ward / private ward is permitted. The earlier rate was Rs 862 fro NABH + Room rent as per ward entitlement.
Room Rent
- The General Ward room rent has been increased from Rs 1000 to Rs 1500.
- The Semi-Private ward room rent has been increased from Rs 2000 to Rs 3000.
- The Private Ward room rent has been increased from Rs 3000 to Rs 4500.
The ministry further said that the referral process under CGHS has also been simplified.
“Earlier the CGHS beneficiary had to visit the CGHS Wellness Center himself and take referral to the hospital. But now, if the CGHS beneficiary is unable to go, he can send someone on his behalf with his documents to the wellness centerm,” the statement said.
“The medical officer can refer the beneficiary to go to the hospital after checking the documents. Apart from this, CGHS beneficiary can also take referral through video call,” it added.
