Cashless treatment will no longer stop in private hospitals, government changed 15 years old rules:

If you are a central employee or pensioner and use CGHS card, then this news is no less than a gift for you. From today, i.e. Monday, October 13, 2025, a huge tension related to your health facilities is over forever. The government has made a major change in the rules of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) after 15 years, which will make it easier than ever to get cashless treatment in private hospitals.

Why was this change necessary?

Many of you may have experienced this. When we used to go to any big private hospital for treatment, despite having CGHS card, the hospitals were often reluctant to provide cashless treatment. The reason for this was the old rates of treatment and delay in payment from the government.

The result was that employees and pensioners had to bear huge medical expenses from their own pockets and then had to wait for months to get the money back (refund). Many times, even in emergencies, it became difficult to get the right treatment on time. In view of this problem, government employee unions had demanded the government to change these rules.

What are the new rules and how will you get the benefit?

The government has updated the rates of about 2,000 types of treatments and medical procedures. Now these rates will be decided according to the standards of the city and the hospital. This simply means that now hospitals will get the right and timely payment for treatment, hence they will not be able to refuse to provide cashless treatment.

• Benefits for employees: Now you will not have to spend money from your pocket for treatment. Your treatment will be completely cashless and the hassles of procedures like refund will be eliminated.
• Benefits for hospitals: They will get better and timely payment for treatment, which will encourage them to provide good facilities to CGHS cardholders.

Other family members will also get benefits

The government has made another important and sensitive change in the rules. According to the rules issued on 16 September 2025, now dependent transgender children and siblings in the family will also be able to get the full benefits of CGHS, provided they are legally certified.

These big improvements happened in the last one year

The government is continuously improving CGHS facilities:

• CGHS’s online portal and mobile app has become better and easier than before.
• The number of private hospitals providing cashless treatment has been increased.
• The system for taking referrals from doctors has been made online, due to which approval is obtained quickly.
• Real time tracking has started to monitor the supply of medicines.
• Special helpdesks have been created to help elderly citizens.

Who can take advantage of this?

• All Central employees and their family members (except Railways and Delhi Administration).
• All Central Pensioners and their families (except Railways and Armed Forces).
• This scheme is currently available in 80 cities of the country.

How to make CGHS card?

• If you are in job, fill a form and attach family photo and submit it to your department.
• If you are a pensioner, apply to the Additional Director office of your city. You can also download the form from CGHS website (cghs.gov.in).