Union Health Ministry is shaking up approval process for medical treatment under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). By boosting financial authority for senior officials, ministry aims to speed up cashless treatment and settle claims faster .
New guidelines let additional directors in CGHS cities and zones approve reimbursement claims up to ₹15 lakh,up from ₹7 lakh. For directors,limit jumps from ₹15 lakh to ₹25 lakh, while Additional Secretary and DG of CGHS can now greenlight up to ₹50 lakh, up from ₹25 lakh. Bigger cases still go to Union Health Ministry, needing Integrated Finance Division's nod.
Change kicks in June 25, expected to cut cases needing top-level approval, speeding up treatment decisions and claim settlements. Also covers unlisted procedures — additional directors can okay up to ₹2 lakh, directors up to ₹5 lakh, and Additional Secretary and DG up to ₹10 lakh.
Approval delays have long frustrated seniors,who need costly care. Senior health official says changes aim to decentralize decisions, letting local offices handle routine cases . This should ease CGHS headquarters' load,helping complex cases needing policy decisions.
By boosting officials' financial powers,ministry hopes to streamline scheme's efficiency. Part of broader effort to modernize CGHS,tackle delay complaints. Timely too,as government plans cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims, covering up to ₹1.5 lakh.
As CGHS evolves to meet users' needs,focus stays on timely, adequate medical care without red tape . Revised financial powers set to be key in this effort...but how smooth will it be?
