The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recently made changes in some important guidelines related to CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme). These changes will facilitate treatment of CGHS beneficiaries, especially the elderly and serious patients. Along with this, the processes for Health Care Providers (HCOs) have also become more clear and practical than before. Know what these changes are:
Major relief in rules for uploading geo-tagged photos
Till now, it was mandatory to upload geo-tagged photos every day when CGHS beneficiaries were admitted to the hospital (IPD). Both hospitals and patients were facing problems regarding this rule. In view of these problems, the ministry has given one-time waiver in old cases and has given exemption for not uploading photos.
From now on, the new rule is: In IPD referral cases: Now no geo-tagged photos are required. Just the referral should be valid and uploaded on NHA portal.
In IPD non-referral cases (emergencies, patients aged 70+ years, follow-up admissions etc): 2 geo-tagged photos required at the time of admission and at the time of discharge. If hospitalization is more than 7 days, an additional photo will be required every 7th day. Photo should be taken in ICU/ward only. Showing CGHS card is not required.
In OPD cases: Photo is not required in OPD services with referral. Without referral, if the patient is above 70 years of age, bedridden or in follow-up, photo is mandatory.
Photo should be taken from mobile or tablet, its size should be less than 1 MB and it must be uploaded on CGHS portal within 24 hours.
New guidelines regarding physiotherapy services
Answering a query in Parliament, the government recently said that the recruitment process of physiotherapists in CGHS Wellness Centers has been expedited. The new rules were notified on 24 June 2024.
At present the situation is: Only one post of physiotherapist is vacant. At present 5 physiotherapists are working in the Medical Center of Parliament House Complex, who have been deputed from Safdarjung Hospital and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
How can physiotherapy services be availed?
CGHS beneficiaries can avail this service from any government hospital or any private hospital included in the panel by CGHS.
Apart from this, the facility of home-based physiotherapy (domiciliary physiotherapy) is also available for needy beneficiaries. For this, the guidelines already issued on 1 June 2011 are still valid.
Summing up…
These recent changes make it clear that the Health Ministry is constantly working towards making the CGHS system more effective, transparent and patient-friendly. Relief measures have been taken especially for the elderly and critically ill, while the procedures have also been simplified for hospitals.
CGHS beneficiaries are advised to be aware of these new rules so that there is no interruption in treatment and all the facilities can be availed properly.