15 Responses

1. Kanchan

   05|May|2008 1

   Thanks
   The info seems really useful because I don’t think it really occurs to anyone unless they are themselves in the same situation which my sisters and I are right now with our father admitted in a CGHS hospital in Mumbai with a mild paralytic stroke.There is very little awareness on facilities available for pensioners and by the time one completes the required formalities and realizes what one has gotten into,one is completely frustrated and would certainly lose faith in the system.
   Hopetheinformation you haveacquired helps others too.

2. Nathan

   06|Jun|2008 2

   Dear Rajib, Thanks for the extensive experience information that you have shared. My relative is diagnosed as a End stage renal disease and have been recommended by govt doctor for regular dialysis. I need info on 1- How to finalise my diagnosis? should i undergo special test called biopsy? 2- for regular dialysis i was told we need to have a surgical procedure in your arm connecting vein and arteries (fistula)…how and where do i get it done? who shud refer? 3- Where should i have the dialyis done regulary, how to organise appointment etc, 4- Im also told of the expensive tests and medicines for life time. how do i get supply?. Would be grateful for ur reply. Or else please let me know your tel no, would like to speak to you to hear your experience on dialysis for ur FIL. Many thanks. Nathan

3. Rajib Ghosh

   09|Jun|2008 3

   Hi Nathan,

   1. ESRD need not be finalized by a biopsy. A biopsy is useful in detecting tumors/cancers. ESRD can be detected by Blood & Urine tests alone. For ex: Check blood for Sodium, Potassium, Calcium & Phosphorus. Check blood for Urea, Creatinine, Albumin. Check 24 Hour urine for Creatinine clearance.

   Please obtain a permission letter from CMO of CGHS dispensary to either get them done at the dispensary or a CGHS approved diagnostic centre.

   2. Hemodialysis requires a fistula for better blood flow management. Typically, the CGHS recognized hospital will recommend hemodialysis and the creation of fistula. After permission from CGHS, this minor operation can be conducted at the CGHS recognized hospital itself.

   3. Hemodialysis needs to be done regularly. The frequency depends on the condition of the patient. For patients with kidney impairment, the frequency ranges from daily to once in 3 days. After Hemodialysis has been sanctioned by CGHS (following recommendation by CGHS Recognised Hospital), you need to visit the CGHS Recognized Dialysis Centre (for ex: Satya Kidney Centre at Hyderabad) and work out your schedule of dialysis. In my MIL’s case, her appointments were often at 2AM!

   4. Hemodialysis patients loose blood every time dialysis is performed. The kidney impairment further prevents the creation of new blood. To counter this, patients need to be administered Erythopotein regularly. The Nephrologist at hospital will write it in the prescription. You need to produce this prescription at CGHS Dispensary to indent your medicines and collect them 3 days later. While at Kolkata, I had to run between 2 different dispensaries and produce elaborate documents, at Hyderabad; since I visit the CGHS Dispensary attached to the HQ, it’s easier and one-stop.

   You can read more about CGHS procedures in my article titled ‘Obtaining CGHS Treatment’.

   HTH

4. Ajay Bhende

   23|Jul|2008 4

   Dear Rajib,

   I am a Central Govt. Employee at New Delhi and availing AMA’s services as i am living in Non-CGHS covered area. My wife is going to home town i.e. Nagpur (Maharashtra). Can i get CGHS temporary permit for my wife for Nagpur.

   with ragards
   Ajay Bhende

5. Rajib Ghosh

   25|Jul|2008 5

   Dr. G Rangaswamy (CMO, CGHS Disp #4, Hyderabad) replies to Mr. Ajay Bhende’s question:

   “If the person is not covered by the CGHS at his work station, he or his family can not avail CGHS facility though he has come to a place where CGHS facility is available, because he is not contributory to the scheme. Only AMA rules apply if any need for the medical attention is required.
   But if the employee was transfered to a non CGHS area recently(i.e., with in the last six months) his family can be extended for not more than six months from the date of his transfer from the CGHS covered place, provide he deposits the six months contribution in advance.”

   HTH

6. Ajay Bhende

   25|Jul|2008 6

   Dear Dr. G Rangaswamy,
   Thankx for ur valuable guidance. I need ur more guidance on this matter. As I have already stated that I am using AMA’ s services. My wife is going to Nagpur for delivery. I don’t know whether there is AMA or not in area where we lived in Nagpur. In this case if i used private medical services, can it be reimburse and how?

7. dr I P Choudhary

   26|Jul|2008 7

   My Mail is: dripchoudhary1952@yahoo.com

   I got cataract operation done in Delhi CGHS hosp (safdarjang hospital) By CGHS Eye surgeon (pheco – IOL ) and purchased IOL advised by same surgeon -Rayacryl® hydrophilic acrylic co-polymer lense costing Rs 5500 in april 2008 bur CGHS rembursed only 900 giviny plea that only rs 950 is admissible . anybody expert may advise what to do to them
   please mail me ur advise.

8. Rajib Ghosh

   28|Jul|2008 8

   Dear Dr. Choudhary,

   CGHS does have ceiling limits for procedures and implants. You can always request to see the Approved Rates for your city to verify.

   For class A cities, currently Rs.5000/-is the maximum for the cataract surgery. Cost of lens is extra. Hence, clearly CGHS is not going to accept a lens of such high value.

   HTH

9. Mayank

   29|Oct|2008 9

   in response to Dr chaudhary
   the IOL rates have finally been revised on 36 th June to Rs 5500 in hydrophilic foldable IOLS

   http://mohfw.nic.in/f-no.-s-1413-2005-06-cghs-r&h.pdf

   though the reimbursement for phaco surgery is at par to cataract surgery and as low as 6000 in b2 cities like dehradun,chandigarh (Rs 9500 in delhi). phaco surgery or suture using ECCE IOL are treated at par, or let us say CGHS has yet to accept phaco as a superior surgery that ECCE for past 20 yrs

   yet to wake from slumber and the patients are being punished for their ignorance

   such discripencies and discrimination against Indians at smaller town is wrong as the value of life has to be same every where. (right to equality))

   more over some one at cghs thinks it is correct to actually decrease the prices by 25 % when the inflation is at its peak , further antagonising doctors to take up CGHS pts at par (hyderabad has not private empanellment for the same reason )

   http://mohfw.nic.in/f-no.-s-1413-2005-06-cghs-r&h.pdf

10. U K L Das

    12|Nov|2008 10

    i am a haemodialysis paient. retiring in march 2010. I am settled in Ahmednagar (non-cghs station) .How can I get my dialysis done at pvt hospital at Ahmednagar. Need sincere help and advice.Thanks.

11. A Basu

    13|Dec|2008 11

    Dear Rajib,
    your information is indeed useful. However one thing is not yet clear to me. Generally during hospitalization case the CGHS beneficiary gets an estimate from the hospital concerned(CGHS recognized) and accordingly the advance is released from the office and accordingly a check is issued to the hospital. But during temporary permit to other city if a patient(e.g. card holder’s dependent) is advised for hospitalization at the destination city , then how he may process for medical advance ? Although the employee can pay money and later on submit the claim at the source city /HOD through medical 2004 claim form / Reimbursement but can he get the advance earlier.
    Kindly clarify this issue.

12. Bhushan Kumar

    30|Jul|2009 12

    Sir,

    1. please intimate rates of charges to become CGHS member.

    2. An early reply is requested

13. Rajib Ghosh

    30|Jul|2009 13

    Dear Mr. Bhushan,

    CGHS Membership is open to serving/retired employees of the Central Govt.
    This includes members of the armed forces but does not include public-sector undertakings such as banks, post-office, railways etc.

    The membership is applicable for the primary beneficiary, dependent parents (not in-laws), dependent children (below age 21, unmarried, divorced) and spouse.
    Membership fees can be paid on a monthly basis or paid for 120 months in advance for a life-time validity card.
    Membership fees ranges from as low as 50/- per month to as much as 500/- per month.

    Membership forms have to be obtained from the CGHS HQ of your city and require documents such as Photo, ID Proof, Service Proof, Pension Proof etc.

    More information about rates can be found at: http://90paisa.blogspot.com/2009/06/revision-of-rates-of-subscription-under.html
    More information about CGHS Membership Application Form can be found at: http://mohfw.nic.in/cghsnew/index.asp

14. mahender

    07|Jan|2011 14

    please inform to me prosidure of temporary cghs card in chaennai, presently benificary is on Child Care Leave and

    she claim medical benifits her illing husband in channai

15. Rajib Ghosh

    01|Mar|2011 15

    Dear Mahender,

    To obtain ‘Temporary CGHS Card’, the CGHS beneficiery needs to visit the CGHS HQ in the new location and submit a request for temporary card.
    In the request letter, you must clearly mention your CGHS Card details, new residential address and reason for request.

    A temporary card (valid for 6 months) will be issued. Please note that a temporary card does not entitle you to cashless treatment (inpatient) at hospitals in the new city. You have to pay at the hospital and claim reimbursement. Ask the hospital to bill CGHS rates. Outpatient treatment and medicines are covered under cashless benefits.

    HTH