All Central government employees will now have to apply for a new Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) card. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued revised guidelines for the issuance of the card, which provides for medical/health care to employees and pensioners of the Central government.
The guidelines had to be revised because of the various new methods of paying contributions. The card is used by about 42 lakh existing and retired employees across 80 cities in India.
The new CGHS card will have to be applied for online on www.cghs.nic.in. Once the application form is submitted online, a temporary reference number is generated. A printout can be taken of the form and submitted with signature, photographs and proof of pay scale (pay slip), Aadhaar Card, PAN card, and so on, to the concerned department for processing. The departments will forward the same to the concerned Office of Additional Director, CGHS which will issue the card. The head of department/head of office of the employee will sponsor the request for card.
The applications shall be examined by the CGHS on the basis of the documents submitted by the applicants along with the required proof of identification.
In order to ensure smooth and seamless delivery of health care services and prompt redressal of grievances, the CGHS has in place local and zonal advisory committees (LAC and ZAC) that meet once a month and work to ensure the efficient functioning of CGHS Wellness Centres. These committees also streamline reimbursement claims, and also evaluate services of empanelled chemists, hospitals and diagnostic centres.
