One time option to CGHS Beneficiaries to choose their ward entitlement based on their Notional Pay in 7th CPC Pay Matrix: Minutes of the 33rd SCOVA meeting

[DoP&PW OM No. 42/11/2023-P&PW(D) dated 03.04.2024]

Sub:- Minutes of the 33rd SCOVA meeting held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ ble MOS(PP) on 22.02.2024, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi-reg

Previous: (33.4) Construction of CGHS Polyclinic/ Hospital at Jammu

(33.5) One time option to CGHS Beneficiaries to choose their ward entitlement based on their Notional Pay in 7th CPC Pay Matrix

Prior to revision of the rates of subscription and entitlement of wards under CGHS with effect from Ist June 2009, Pensioners had an option to choose for payment of CGHS Contribution / ward entitlement based either on last pay drawn or their pension. Pensioners who had opted for payment of Contribution based on their pension got lower entitlement of ward than the entitlement based on their last basic pay.

After 7th CPC, the rate of CGHS Contribution was revised w.e.f 01.01.2017 based on the levels in the Pay matrix and the ward entitlement on the corresponding basic pay in 7th CPC. Pensioners who are entitled for higher ward entitlement based on their notional Pay in 7th CPC Pay Matrix continue to be eligible for lower ward entitlement since they had opted for determination of their entitlement based on their pension at the time of their retirement/admission to CGHS. It is seen that even in cases where pensioners had opted for determination of their CGHS contribution and ward entitlement on the basis of last pay, they would now be entitled for higher wards viz: Semi-private and Private ward, re-determined with reference to their notional pay under the 7th CPC.

It is, therefore, requested that the issue may please be pursued to allow onetime option to Pensioners to opt for re-determination of their ward entitlement based on their notional pay in 7th CPC Pay Matrix, which would make them eligible for higher wards in Private Hospitals empanelled under CGHS.

Discussion/Decision taken in the meeting

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that periodically and notional revision of pay/pensioners take place from time to time as per CPCs. CGHS cards are normally issued for life time. As per one of the conditions mentioned in MoHFW OM dated 09.01.2017, the entitlement of pensioners/family pensioners who have already deposited contribution for the lifetime CGHS facility, will not be changed. However, this issue was examined by Ministry of Health but was not agreed to due to huge financial implication of the proposal.

In view of the above, the item was closed.

Next: (33.6) Non-Revision of CGHS rates

Source: Minutes of the 33rd SCOVA meeting held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ ble MOS(PP) on 22.02.2024, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi