The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has released detailed guidelines for issuing Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) cards to serving central government employees and central government pensioners. Which pensioners can be eligible to get CGHS cards? What will be the rate of lifetime CGHS cards for central government pensioners? All your questions are answered.
Which pensioners are eligible for CGHS cards?
In an office memorandum dated June 27, 2024, the ministry said: “CGHS card(s) will be issued to eligible pensioners and family pensioners, drawing pension from Central Civil Estimate and his/her dependent family members, when the pensioner is not availing the Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA).”
Can a central government pensioner get a CGHS card along with the Fixed Medical Allowance?
Yes. The central government pensioners also have the option of availing of the Fixed Medical Allowance with a CGHS card (IPD Card) by paying the full subscription.
In such cases, the CGHS ‘IPD only’ card shall be valid only for ‘cashless’ indoor treatment at CGHS empanelled private hospitals/designated government hospitals. The beneficiary of the ‘IPD only’ CGHS card shall also be eligible for reimbursement of expenses incurred for indoor treatment at any Government/Private Hospital only in case of a Medical Emergency.
What is the validity of the CGHS card?
The CGHS cards typically have a validity of five years for the central government pensioners. You can renew the CGHS card once the validity is over.
How to apply for a new CGHS card
The central government pensioners can submit his/her duly filled application form for the new pensioner CGHS card, in the new card application form to the additional director of CGHS city concerned. Do keep in mind that the application form should accompany the payment of CGHS contribution
on Bharat Kosh, along with the Challan generated from Bharatkosh as proof of payment.
You can also apply for an electronic CGHS card online.
What are the documents the central government pensioner needs to enclose to apply for a CGHS card?
1) Proof of age of son (in case son is a dependent)
2) Self-attested copy of Disability certificate issued by the medical board of government hospital (in case of dependent son aged 25 and above)
3) Self-attested PPO/provisional PPO or last pay certificate copy of Bharatkosh Challan for CGHS subscription paid
4) Proof of availing/non-availing FMA
5) Copy of ID proof of dependent family members (Passport, PAN card, masked Aadhar, voter ID card, etc.)
6) Address proof
7) Documents proving dependency of family members (wherever applicable)
Will electronic CGHS be considered same as the plastic card?
Consequent to verification of the CGHS Card, the electronic form of the CGHS card shall be accessible to the beneficiary using the option of ‘Beneficiary Login’ on the CGHS Website, myCGHS app & DigiLocker app for Android/iOS-based mobile devices.
The electronic CGHS card will be at par with the CGHS plastic card for availing benefits. The authenticity of the CGHS card can be verified using the option of ‘Verify beneficiary’ available on the CGHS Website (www.cghs.nic.in).
What will be the charges for CGHS cards?
For the central government pensioners, the contribution towards the CGHS cards will be equivalent to 120 times i.e. 10 years of existing CGHS contribution rate, at the time of retirement. The existing rates shall be as per the details provided below:
Pay Level (7th CPC Pay matrix) | Contribution |
Level 1 to 5 | Rs 30,000 for whole life CGHS card |
Level 6 | Rs 54,000 for whole life CGHS card |
Level 7 to 11 | Rs 78,000 for whole life CGHS card |
Level 12 and above | Rs 1,20,000 for whole life CGHS card |
Can I apply for my CGHS pensioner card before retirement?
“Retiring employees have the option to apply for a pensioner card along with pension papers six months before the date of retirement (online as a pensioner new card). The office shall observe the same procedure as for a serving employee for getting his/her CGHS card(s) prepared,” the OM said.
Charges to renew CGHS card online and offline
To renew your CGHS card, the central government pensioner has to submit the application Form AA or BB along with the Bharatkosh Payment challan for Rs 100 to the additional director of the city where he stays.
You also have the option to apply for your CGHS card online. The ministry said, “To encourage the CGHS beneficiaries to use digital CGHS cards, it has also been decided that No fee shall be levied, in case the beneficiary opts for renewal/reissue of the card without a fresh printed plastic card.”
If you lose your CGHS plastic card or damage it, you can also apply for another CGHS card offline or online.