New Delhi: Cashless treatment facilities will now be available to all Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries (serving and pensioners) at 6 AIIMS located at Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Jodhpur, Raipur and Rishikesh, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has said.

On Saturday, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between these six AIIMS and CGHS, Union Health Ministry in the presence of Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, to implement this facility.

Patient care facilities available at 6 fully functional AIIMS at Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Jodhpur, Raipur and Rishikesh shall be extended to the CGHS beneficiaries on a cashless basis.

It will be particularly beneficial for the senior citizens (retired pensioner beneficiaries of CGHS) who find it difficult to submit individual reimbursement claims and follow-up approvals.

The CGHS beneficiaries will have the advantage of accessing state of art treatment facilities available in these AIIMS, without the hassle of first making payments and then seeking reimbursements from CGHS.

This initiative will save time, reduce paperwork and also delays in settlement of individual claims.

Till now, CGHS pensioner beneficiaries, availing treatment at AIIMS, are required to first make payment and claim reimbursement later from CGHS.

Under this initiative, CGHS Pensioners and other eligible CGHS beneficiaries will have access to cashless treatment at six AIIMS hospitals. This includes OPD consultations, investigations, and indoor treatment.

The AIIMS hospitals will generate credit bills for the treatment provided to CGHS Pensioners and eligible beneficiaries, which will be submitted to CGHS for payment.

It is expected that CGHS will make the payment within 30 days of receiving the bills.

To avail of treatment at AIIMS, the CGHS beneficiary must present a valid CGHS Beneficiary ID Card.

AIIMS will establish a dedicated Help Desk and accounting system specifically for CGHS beneficiaries. Additionally, medicines prescribed by AIIMS doctors for OPD treatment or at the time of discharge will be obtained by the beneficiaries through CGHS.

This initiative aims to enhance healthcare access and streamline processes for CGHS beneficiaries receiving treatment at AIIMS hospitals.