Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) in lieu of OPD facilities under CGHS

376.    MS. MIMI CHAKRABORTY:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has proposed for an alternative option for CGHS facilities to the pensioners of Union Government and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether under CS (MA) Rules, 1944 retirees are not entitled to medical benefits and there are different medical facilities rules under CGHS for serving employees and the pensioners of Union Government and if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons for not introducing uniform CGHS options for all Central Government employees and pensioners;

(c) whether it is also a fact that there are same CS (MA) Rules, 1944 for Central Government employees and pensioners who are residing out of CGHS areas and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to merge both medical facilities rules and introduce uniform CGHS options for all serving Central Government employees and pensioners at par thereof, and

(e)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

(a) to (e) Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), a subscription based scheme, is a supplement and complement to already existing Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944. As per extant CGHS guidelines, residence alone is the criterion for availing medical services by the serving as well as retired Central Government employees. CS(MA) Rules, 1944 are applicable only to serving Central Government Employees. These rules are not applicable to pensioners. Central Government Pensioners residing in non-CGHS covered areas have the following options:

• They can avail Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) in lieu of OPD facilities under CGHS.
• They can also avail benefits of CGHS (OPD & IPD) by registering themselves in the nearby CGHS covered city after making the required subscription.
• They also have the option to avail FMA for OPD treatment and CGHS for IPD treatments after making the required subscriptions as per CGHS guidelines.

Thus, all Central Government employees and pensioners and their eligible dependent family members are entitled to avail medical services under CGHS as per their choice.

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