7th Central Pay Commission: Since the implementation of 7th Pay Commission, the Central Government Health Services (CGHS) has seen multiple changes, including revision in subscription rates, rules for entitlement of wards and limit of treatment. In April this year, one more change was announced – the Centre asked all CGHS beneficiaries to link their CGHS ID with Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID. But now, the decision has been put on hold until further notice.
According to an office memorandum signed by CGHS Director Satheesh YH, earlier orders on mandatory linking of CGHS beneficiary ID with ABHA ID have been reviewed and made optional until further orders.
In April this year, the union health ministry issued a circular directing the mandatory linking of CGHS beneficiary ID with ABHA ID.
In its circular, the ministry said, “It has been decided that linking of CGHS beneficiary ID with ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account Number) is mandatory w.e.f. 1.04.2024 and is to be completed within 30 days by all existing CGHS beneficiaries.”
According to the first circular, the direction was supposed to come into force from April 1 but it was later extended till June 30, 2024. And now it has been put on hold, until furthe directions.
While the mandatory linking of two IDs has been put on hold as of now, CGHS beneficiaries can still link their beneficiary ID with ABHA ID, if they wish to do so.
What is CGHS scheme?
CGHS scheme gives a complete healthcare coverage to central government staff, pensioners and their dependent family members. Under the scheme, around 50 lakh government employees and pensioners are covered across the country. Of them, little over 2 lakh CGHS beneficiaries have linked their ID with ABHA ID.
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What is the procedure to register with the CGHS for pensioners?
- One can get a CGHS card made from the office of AD / JD of the city.
- Forms can be downloaded from CGHS Website or can be taken from office of AD / JD of city.
What is the procedure to register with the CGHS for serving employees?
Serving employees submit the forms in prescribed format enclosing photos of eligible family members and submit to the Ministry /Department/Office, where he/she is employed. The application form shall be forwarded by the Ministry/Office /Department to the office of Additional Director CGHS of city for preparation of card. Print out is issued for immediate use.
What is ABHA?
Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) is a unique 14 digit number used to link all the health records of a person. ABHA intends to create a digital health ecosystem & aims to promote digitization of healthcare. Any individual can enrol in Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to generate a Health ID or ABHA, free of cost.
Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts aims to provide seamless and efficient digital health data exchange in the ABDM ecosystem. It creates a system of personal health records that is easily accessible to individuals, healthcare professionals and services providers based on individual’s informed consent.
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Benefits of linking ABHA ID with for CGHS ID for government employees:
- ABHA shall integrate CGHS beneficiaries with the digital health ecosystem of the country.
- A CGHS beneficiary shall be able to view the generated and linked health records in any of his/her preferred Personal Health Record (PHR) app downloaded on the mobile device.
- A CGHS beneficiary shall be able to carry forward his/her health records from one hospital/Healthcare provider to another in a digitally secured way.
- In future, a CGHS beneficiary shall directly be able take OPD appointment of a Doctor just by scanning a QR code through his/her mobile device present in front of the Doctor’s room/ Registration Desk in the Wellness Centre.
