New Delhi, Oct 4
Health industry bodies have welcomed the central government's decision to revise the package rates for nearly 2,000 medical procedures under the Central Govt Health Scheme (CGHS).
The revised rates, announced on Oct 3, will come into effect from Oct 13.
“This reform, along with the earlier GST relief, reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and addressing long-standing concerns of the sector,†said Ameera Shah, President, NATHEALTH, in a statement.
CGHS is a vital programme for millions of beneficiaries, and the revised rates will improve access to safe and effective healthcare while enhancing system efficiency.
Earlier, the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) called the revision “a long-awaited stepâ€.
The last package was fixed in 2014, with only a minor update in 2024. This left hospitals and patients struggling for more than a decade with a gap between actual treatment costs and prescribed package rates.
The new policy would directly benefit both healthcare providers and CGHS beneficiaries, the AHPI said.
The revised framework applies to the CGHS cardholders in all categories, with semi-private rooms defined as two to four patients forming the base for package rates, and general wards accommodating up to 10 patients.
The rates will also vary based on city tiers, with tier-I cities applying the base rate, tier-II cities -- including Chandigarh, Jalandhar and Ludhiana -- set at a 19 per cent lower rate, and Tier 3 cities set at a 20 per cent lower rate.
Further, accreditation status will also determine rates, with non-NABH hospitals receiving a 15 per cent lower rate than NABH hospitals, while the super-speciality hospitals with over 200 beds will be entitled to 15 per cent higher rates than the NABH hospitals.
Building on the momentum, NATHEALTH suggested that CGHS and other government-sponsored schemes be periodically benchmarked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
“This will ensure predictability, sustainability, and a win-win value proposition for patients, providers, and policymakers,†Shah said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good move but the tier-based pricing worries me. People in smaller cities deserve the same quality healthcare without being treated as second-class citizens. Why should Chandigarh get lower rates than Delhi?
As someone working in healthcare administration, this revision was desperately needed. The 2014 rates were making it impossible for hospitals to provide quality care under CGHS. Better late than never! ðŸ‘
The NABH accreditation incentive is smart - it will encourage more hospitals to maintain quality standards. Healthcare quality should be rewarded, not just quantity.
While I welcome the revision, waiting 15 years for rate updates is unacceptable. The suggestion to link with CPI makes perfect sense. Government should implement this immediately to prevent such huge gaps in future.
My mother's knee replacement was delayed for months because no good hospital would accept CGHS rates. This should improve access to quality healthcare for government employees and pensioners. Good step forward! 💪
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