Government to introduce health insurance for central staff, pensioners

NEW DELHI: Government said it was contemplating introduction of a health insurance scheme for central government employees and pensioners with special focus on non-CGHS areas.

Stating this in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the serving central government employees in non-CGHS areas are provided healthcare facilities under the CS(MA) Rules, 1994, but pensioners are not covered under these rules.

The Minister said the pensioners are, however, entitled to a fixed medical allowance of Rs 300 per month.

He said pensioners residing in non-CGHS areas have the option to become a CGHS member in any CGHS-covered city of their choice to avail the medical facilities under the Scheme.