Central Government Health Scheme beneficiaries aged 80 & above to get easy access to doctors

NEW DELHI: The beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) aged 80 and above will no longer need to stand in a queue for consulting doctors at CGHS dispensaries.

CGHS doctors will now enquire once a month about the wellbeing of patients over phone or visit their homes if they are located within 5 km of CGHS centre.

It is one of the special provisions formulated for patients aged 80 and above under the scheme, according to an office memorandum issued to all CGHS wellness centres.

It also calls for settlement of medical claims out of turn on a priority basis.

The CGHS scheme was started under the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 1954 for providing comprehensive medical care facilities to central government employees, pensioners and their dependents residing in CGHS-covered cities.