NEW DELHI/PATNA: Cashless treatment facilities will now be available to all serving and retired beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Services (CGHS) at six All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The AIIMS managements of Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Jodhpur, Raipur, and Rishikesh signed memoranda of understanding with the CGHS on Saturday, paving the way for cashless treatment in OPD, investigations, and indoor treatment.
The signing of the MoUs took place in the presence of Rajesh Bhushan, the Union Health Secretary. He highlighted that these six AIIMS have been fully functional for over a decade, providing specialty and super-specialty services. The initiative aims to particularly benefit senior citizens, retired pensioner beneficiaries of CGHS, who often face challenges in submitting individual reimbursement claims and following up for approvals.
By accessing state-of-the-art treatment facilities at these AIIMS, CGHS beneficiaries can now avail themselves of cashless services without the need to make upfront payments and seek reimbursements. This initiative is expected to save time, reduce paperwork, and eliminate delays in settling individual claims. Previously, CGHS pensioner beneficiaries seeking treatment at AIIMS were required to pay for their treatment and subsequently claim reimbursement from CGHS.
Expressing his appreciation for the development, the Health Secretary emphasized the significance of CGHS as a service-oriented vertical of the Health Ministry, providing medical services to existing and retired employees. He further stated the government’s commitment to expanding the number of hospitals empanelled under CGHS, offering excellent tertiary care facilities to meet the increasing requirements of patients.
Additionally, the Health Secretary announced that in the near future, the AIIMS institutions in New Delhi, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, and the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research in Puducherry will also be included in this agreement.
Key features of the initiative include:
- CGHS pensioners and other entitled categories of beneficiaries will be eligible for cashless treatment in OPD, investigations, and indoor treatment at the six AIIMS mentioned.
- The six AIIMS will raise credit bills for CGHS pensioners and other eligible beneficiaries, with CGHS preferably making payment within 30 days of receipt of the bills.
- Admission of CGHS beneficiaries at AIIMS will require the production of a valid CGHS Beneficiary ID card.
- AIIMS will establish a separate help desk and accounting system for CGHS beneficiaries.
- Medicines prescribed by doctors at AIIMS for OPD treatment or upon discharge will be collected by beneficiaries through CGHS.
With the expansion of cashless treatment facilities, CGHS beneficiaries can now access top-notch healthcare services at these AIIMS without any financial burden, ensuring a smoother and more efficient healthcare experience for all.
Source: Google News