Beneficiaries above 75 years were allowed health check-up at CGHS empanelled hospitals

New Delhi: Beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) aged 75 years and more were recently allowed to undergo annual health check-up at CGHS empanelled hospitals. Worth mentioning here is that the government has set up CGHS centres across the country to provide basic medical services. If required these CGHS centres can refer a medical case to government hospitals or even to private hospitals depending on the treatment required.

In case of an emergency, beneficiaries are not required to seek permission from CGHS centres. But in case of a non-emergency situation, endorsement must be taken from the CGHS centre.

According to the recent CGHS circular, beneficiaries aged 75 years and above need to take permission from the chief medical officer (CMO) in charge of the CGHS wellness centre before undergoing health check-up.

The CGHS beneficiary can also avail the check-up from a private hospital empanelled under CGHS as per CGHS rate list and will also get the cashless facility for the treatments.

Elderly CGHS beneficiaries (aged 75 years and above) are also allowed to seek consultations from Specialists without any endorsement from the CGHS centres. The beneficiary is also permitted to consult up to 3 Specialists if required in a single visit to the hospital. If the specialist recommends any test in an emergency situation then that can be undertaken without the endorsement by CGHS. They can, therefore, now undergo treatment or investigations without any prior CGHS referral letter.

However, permission will be required only for any unlisted treatment procedure or tests in non-emergency conditions.

Referral rules for OPD consultations

CGHS OPD rules say beneficiaries are nor required to avail referral to avail OPD consultation from specialists in any Government Hospital. In the case of OPD consultation from Specialists in any of the CGHS empanelled hospitals, beneficiaries in all CGHS Cities below the age of 75 years need a referral from the Medical Officer or CMO in-charge of the medical centre. The referral shall be valid for three consultations in the same hospital within 30 days.

Beneficiaries aged above 75 years are required to shoe their CGHS card to avail the OPD facilities at the empanelled CGHS hospitals without any referral from the medical officer. If any investigations or procedures are advised and required in an emergency, no additional permission or endorsement is required from the CGHS in-charge.

Source: timesnownews