CGHS related grievances raised by Pensionser’s Associations- New Agenda Items No. 1 to 14: 35th SCOVA Discussion
Details of discussion on Agenda Item No. 1 to 14 of 35th SCOVA:
[DoP&PW’s letter No. F, No.42/11/2023-P&PW(D)/E-9312 dated 04.05.2026]
Minutes of the meeting of 35th SCOVA held on 10.03.2026 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS (PP) at CSOI, KG Marg, New Delhi —reg.
Annexure-II
NEW AGENDA ITEMS
| SI. No. PDF | Agenda Item PDF | Discussion/Decision on the agenda item PDF |
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Ministry Health & Family Welfare |
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| 1. | Availability of CGHS facilities at District level or reasonable rise in medical allowance | Approval has been accorded for opening of 29 new Wellness Centres across various cities (Bhilai, Durg, Narmadapuram, Bahadurgarh, Rewari, Rohtak, Dharmshala, Kangra, Patiala, Udupi, Shivmogga, Jamshedpur, Sabarmati, Bharatpur, Alwar, Haldwani, Nainital, Warangal, Tirupathi, Navi Mumbai, Hapur, Vasco-da-gama, Mangaluru, Udaipur, Kollam, Sahakarnagar, Bangalore, Hubli, Sambalpur & Greater Noida West).
Hence, the item may be treated as closed. |
| 2. | Request for an Attendance Allowance to the pensioners suffering from Parkinson/Dementia and other ailments, which require constant assistance for leading a dignified life | CGHS was requested to examine the request for an Attendance Allowance to the pensioners suffering from Parkinson/Dementia and other ailments.
[Action: M/o Health & Family Welfare/CGHS] |
| 3. | Establishment of a full-fledged CGHS-type hospital in Jharkhand. | CGHS primarily functions through its network of Wellness Centres for outpatient services and through empanelled private hospitals for inpatient treatment. It does not establish standalone, full-fledged CGHS hospitals. Now, as per OM dated 22.12.2025, more Pvt. HCOs will be able get empanelled under CGHS in tier II and III cities which will ensure adequate access to patient care for CGHS beneficiaries in the state. However, opening of one new CGHS Wellness Centre in Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) is under process for which approval has already been accorded.
Hence, the item may be treated as closed. |
| 4. | Revision of current referral-free limit of Rs.3,000/- regarding diagnostic tests under CGHS. | Beneficiaries aged 70 years and above (irrespective of card type Serving, Pensioner, etc.) may directly consult specialists at empanelled hospitals without prior referral from a CGHS Wellness Centre. For diagnostic tests/investigations (excluding CT scan, MRI) below ₹3,000, no additional endorsement is required, provided there is a valid prescription from the treating specialist. Where a referral has been issued by a CGIIS Wellness Centre, it remains valid for three months from the date of issue and upto 6 consultations. These provisions are intended to facilitate timely access to medical care, especially for senior beneficiaries.
Hence, the item may be treated as closed. |
| 5. | Establishment of CGHS Wellness centre at Puri, Odisha | There is no such proposal under consideration for opening WC at Puri, Odisha. However, Health Care Organizations (HCOs) located in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where there is no CGHS facilities are now eligible to be empanelled under CGHS as per the revised norms vide OM dated 22.12.2025, which will ensure adequate access to patient care for CGHS beneficiaries in the state.
Further, CGHS beneficiaries are permitted to avail treatment without referral/endorsement at any Government hospital, including institutions such as AIIMS, other Institutions of National Importance (INIs), Northeastern regional institutes, Tata Memorial Hospital, as well as Government Medical Colleges and District Hospitals. Moreover, private hospitals in Puri can now seek direct empanelment under the revised norms issued vide O.M. dated 22nd December 2025 which allows for empanelment of HCOs falling in municipal limits of a district headquarters irrespective of availability of CGHS Wellness Centre in that city, thereby, providing easy access to healthcare facilities to the CGHS beneficiaries. Hence, the item may be treated as closed. |
| 6. | Timely settlement of medical claims | Timely settlement of medical reimbursement claims is a priority for CGHS. Claims are processed through an online system to ensure transparency, tracking, and faster disposal. In Addition, clear timelines have been prescribed for settlement of claims of treatment undertaken by pensioner beneficiaries at Private non-empanelled hospitals. The beneficiaries can track their MRCs on new MRC CGHS portal and also on myCGHS 2.0 app.
Moreover, CGHS Directorate monitors the pendency on regular basis with Zonal/Additional Directors to ensure adherence to these timelines. Further, the credit bills of pensioners are processed on the newly revamped TMS (Transaction Management System) 2.0, effective since October 13, 2025, for faster tracking and settlement of private HCO bills. Hence, the item may be treated as closed. |
| 7. | OTP-based registration challenges at empanelled hospitals as OTP is sent to the primary beneficiary’s registered mobile number, which restricts accompanying family members from completing the registration process; Non-availability or substitution of prescribed medicines for critical patients, including temperature-sensitive injections | Identification of CGHS beneficiary at the point of care is an essential step for a cashless facility. CGHS is considering adding other means of verification to avoid inconvenience.
CGHS would like to clarify the following:
CGHS procures quality-approved generic medicines from the Government organisation like MSO and PMBI (Janaushadi). If any medicine is temporarily unavailable, including temperature-sensitive injections, it is promptly arranged through Authorized Local Chemists (ALCs). Proper storage and cold-chain norms are followed for temperature sensitive medicines. Hence, the item may be treated as closed. |
| 8. | Expansion/Extension and proper staffing of CGHS WCs in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Belagavi, Coimbatore, and Sambhajinagar; Formulation of policies for empanelment of private hospitals where CGHS centers are not feasible | Rationalization of staff across Wellness Centres is undertaken periodically based on daily footfall.
CGHS has initiated the process to empanel healthcare organisations irrespective of CGHS coverage area in tier II and III cities which enables the central government employees to avail treatment. Hence, the item may be treated as closed. |
| 9. | Providing option of getting FMA to those who are residing in CGHS covered areas | Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) is granted as per the provisions of the applicable Pension Rules.
Hence, the item may be treated as closed. |
| 10. | Opening of Ayurvedic Dispensary at Jammu and Establishment of Polyclinic at Jammu; Delay in settlement of MRCs and Shortage of Staff at WCs at Jammu | An AYUSH dispensary is operational in Jammu in the building of CGHS WC Jammu-2 at Trikutta Nagar Jammu. One doctor and one pharmacist are already posted and the procurement of ayurvedic medicines is under process. Establishment of polyclinic and Lab services at Thanser Jammu South, is under consideration. MRCs are being processed timely and the same is being reviewed by CGIIS Directorate in periodic review meetings.
[Action: M/o Health & Family Welfare/CGHS] |
| 11. | Extension of home delivery of medicines under CGHS to reduce visits to Wellness Centres | CGHS was requested to examine the feasibility of home delivery of medicines under CGHS.
[Action: M/o Health & Family Welfare/CGHS] |
| 12. | Need to strengthen and expand CGHS services and improve medicine availability | 29 new CGHS wellness centres have been sanctioned across India. The Ministry has recently notified comprehensive ‘Drug Procurement Policy’ to ensure the continuous availability of medicines.
Hence, the item may be treated as closed. |
| 13. | Opening a new CGHS Wellness Centre at Badlapur and ensuring regular supply of quality medicines at CGHS centres | There is no such proposal for opening a CGHS WC at Badlapur, Maharashtra. Badlapur is 20 minutes drive from CGIIS WC Ambernath.
CGHS is in the process of onboarding more and more Pvt.HCOs in non-CGHS covered areas (vide OM dated 22.12.2025). However, the Ministry has recently notified comprehensive ‘Drug Procurement Policy’ on 15th January 2026, to ensure uninterrupted availability of medicines at CGHS Wellness Centres. Hence, the item may be treated as closed. |
| 14. | Opening of new Wellness Centres at Barasat, Baruipur, and Patuli to case the existing burden on overworked centres at Airport and Rajdanga, ensuring smooth and humane medical treatment |
There is no such proposal for opening a CGHS WC at CGHS Kolkatta. CGHS is in the process of onboarding more and more Pvt. HCOs in non-CGHS covered areas vide OM dated 22.12.2025, which will ensure adequate access to patient care for CGHS beneficiaries in the state. The number of WCs as on date in the state of West Bangal is 18 nos. Hence, the item may be treated as closed. |
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Minutes of the meeting of 35th SCOVA held on 10.03.2026 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS (PP)
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