The Union Ministry of Health has issued a new memorandum on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, according to which male central government employees will now be able to include either their parents or parents-in-law as beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).
Till date, this facility was available only for women central government employees.
The inclusion of parents or parents-in-law as beneficiaries will depend on two conditions – dependence and residence. This means that the parents or parents-in-law have to be dependent on the employee and also stay in the same residence as the employee.
The Central Government Health Scheme offers outpatient facilities to beneficiaries at designated medical centres and central government-run hospitals. The CGHS Scheme also offers in-patient treatment at subsidised rates at empanelled private hospitals.
The Health Ministry stated that the decision to include the male central government scheme for this benefit has been reviewed and approved by competent authorities.
Presently, approximately 35 lakh beneficiaries are covered by CGHS in 71 cities all over India. Delhi alone has close to 16 lakh beneficiaries, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra at 4.8 lakh and 4.5 lakh, respectively.
The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is a comprehensive healthcare program initiated by the Government of India to provide quality medical services to its employees, pensioners, and their dependents.
Under this scheme, beneficiaries are entitled to medical treatment at government and private empanelled hospitals, along with access to essential medicines and diagnostic services.
CGHS aims to ensure the well-being of its beneficiaries by offering cashless and hassle-free healthcare facilities, covering a wide range of medical treatments and procedures. This government initiative plays a crucial role in promoting the health and welfare of its workforce and retirees across the country.
