New Delhi: CGHS i.e. Central Government Health Scheme is like a backbone for central employees and pensioners. There have been many major changes in this scheme in the last ten years. During the 7th Pay Commission (2016–2025), the government has constantly tried to make it digital and easy. Now that the discussion of the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission is in full swing, the biggest question among central government employees is whether CGHS will be abolished and a new insurance based scheme will be introduced.
Reforms brought so far?
Recently, many reforms came to the fore regarding CGHS. For example, the eligibility of general, semi-private and private wards in private hospitals was decided according to the basic salary of the employees. There was an attempt to link the CGHS card to the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), although the decision to make it mandatory was later postponed.
Cards started being issued automatically for employees whose CGHS contribution is deducted from their salary. The referral process was also simplified. Now treatment can be availed in government hospitals without referral. In private hospitals, consultation with three specialists was provided on a single referral and the age limit for senior citizens was reduced to 70 years.
New CGHS rules implemented in 2025
This year also the government took several steps to make CGHS completely digital. Now the approval process of medical devices like CPAP, BiPAP and oxygen concentrator has become online. The payment system has been changed and a new HMIS portal has been implemented. Now all payments will be made from this portal.
MyCGHS app was launched, which provides facilities like card transfer, adding dependents. Photo rules have also been simplified. Now the patient’s photo will be required only at the time of admission and discharge.
The process of providing physiotherapy services at home has started. Medical equipment approval is now done in 5 days and information about the application status is received through SMS and email.
Expectations from the 8th Pay Commission
The 8th Pay Commission has been announced, but the Terms of Reference (ToR) and the appointment of the chairman and members are pending. In such a situation, the change in the salary of employees and pensioners will be visible only by 2028. However, the matter of relief is that even though the 8th Pay Commission implementation date is delayed, it will be considered effective from January 1, 2026.
New insurance based scheme
Meanwhile, there is a discussion that a new insurance based scheme i.e. CGEPHIS can be introduced in place of CGHS, which will make health services more advanced.
The employees demand that till the new scheme is implemented, CS(MA) and ECHS hospitals should be included in CGHS. Also, after the increase in the fitment factor, the health contribution will also increase, so the facilities should also improve in the same proportion.
CGHS has become quite modern and digital-friendly in the last ten years. Especially the changes in 2025 have made it even more transparent and faster. Now eyes are on the 8th Pay Commission, due to which not only salary and pension are expected to increase, but the scope of health services can also become bigger.