New Delhi: The union health ministry on Saturday said that it has commenced cashless treatment facility for all Central Government Health Scheme or CGHS beneficiaries, serving and pensioners, at six All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

“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 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 treatment facilities available in these AIIMS, without the hassle of first making payments and then seeking reimbursements from CGHS," stated health ministry statement.

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.

These six AIIMS shall raise credit bills of CGHS pensioners and other categories of eligible beneficiaries to CGHS and they shall be paid within 30 days of receipt of the bills.

An agreement regarding this was signed between six AIIMS and CGHS in the presence of Rajesh Bhushan, health secretary.

The health ministry said that admission of the CGHS beneficiary shall be made only against production of valid CGHS Beneficiary ID Card for the treatment at AIIMS. Medicines prescribed by the doctors at AIIMS, for OPD treatment or at the time of discharge from AIIMS, will be collected by the beneficiaries through CGHS.

Bhushan said, “In the near future the AIIMS institutions established in New Delhi, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research Chandigarh and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry will be incorporated in this agreement."