Extension of OPD consultation and diagnostic investigation facilities in private empanelled hospitals to RELHS beneficiaries availing Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA), particularly senior citizens suffering from chronic diseases: Request by RSCWS to DG, RHS vide letter dated 07.01.2026
RAILWAY SENIOR CITIZENS WELFARE SOCIETY
(Estd. 1991, Regd. No. 1881 – Under Registration of Societies Act),
IDENTIFIED BY DOP&PW – UNDER PENSIONERS’ PORTAL GOVT. OF INDIA
FORMER MEMBER, SCOVA (STANDING COMMITTEE FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES)
AFFILIATED WITH BHARAT PENSION SAMAJ DELHI
No. RSCWS/CHD/Med/2026-02
Dated: 07.01.2026
Director General Railway Health Services
Room No. 256-A
Rail Bhavan, Raisina Road,
New Delhi-110001.
Subject: – Request for extension of OPD consultation and diagnostic investigation facilities in private empanelled hospitals to RELHS beneficiaries availing Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA), particularly senior citizens suffering from chronic diseases.
Reference: – 1. Railway Board Letter No. 2023/H/28/RELHS/Empanelled/CGHS dated 02.01.2023
2. Railway Board Letter No. 2023/H/28/RELHS/Empanelled/CGHS dated 19.09.2023
Respected Sir,
1. On behalf of the Railway Senior Citizens Welfare Society, we respectfully submit this memorandum for your kind consideration regarding medical facilities extended to Railway Employees Liberalised Health Scheme (RELHS) beneficiaries, particularly senior citizens.
2. Vide the Railway Board letters cited under reference; certain medical facilities have been extended/clarified with regard to treatment in empanelled hospitals. However, a large section of RELHS beneficiaries who are availing Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) remain excluded from OPD consultation and related diagnostic investigations in private empanelled hospitals.
3. The FMA option was allowed to those aged pensioner patients who are living more than 05 Kms away from the nearest Rly medical facility. And this small allowance was meant for day to-day un-wellness conditions such as cough, cold, stomach upsets, seasonal fevers, small injuries etc. By no means this can cover age related major sickness conditions which the very senior persons may suffer, from time to time.
4. Moreover the present rate of FMA at ₹1000 per month is grossly inadequate, especially for senior citizens suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiac ailments, kidney disorders, cancer, neurological disorders, etc. The cost of periodic OPD consultations, pathological tests, radiological investigations, and follow-up care in private hospitals has increased manifold and is far beyond the capacity of elderly pensioners to bear.
5. Many RELHS beneficiaries are compelled to opt for FMA due to non-availability or non accessibility of Railway/CGHS health facilities in their area of residence. Denial of OPD and diagnostic facilities in chronic & relatively serious illness conditions in empanelled hospitals to such beneficiaries, causes serious hardship and defeats the very objective of social security and welfare for retired railway employees.
6. In view of the above, the Railway Senior Citizens Welfare Society earnestly requests that the competent authority may kindly consider:
I. Permission for prescribed diagnostic and pathological investigations related to chronic diseases, as well as serious illness conditions, in empanelled hospitals & pathological Labs.
II. Framing of suitable guidelines to ensure that senior citizens with chronic/ serious illnesses situations receive timely and affordable medical care, with on – line referral from railway Health Unit, without financial distress.
7. This humane and welfare-oriented measure will provide significant relief to thousands of elderly railway pensioners and will be in consonance with the Government of India’s commitment towards the health and dignity of senior citizens.
We shall be grateful for an early and sympathetic consideration of this long-pending and genuine demand.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
(G.P. Singh)
Secretary General
Railway Senior Citizens Welfare Society
Copy to:
1. The Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, New Delhi secyhfw[at]nic.in
2. The Secretary, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, (DOPT) Government of India, New Delhi
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