The Union health ministry has issued a fresh order stating that central government employees who opt to include either their parents or parents-in-law as dependents for availing medical facilities under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944, will not be allowed to change this choice later. The decision, once made, will remain final even in the event of the death of the chosen parents or changes in family circumstances.
One-Time Option Only
In an office memorandum issued on May 13, the ministry clarified that eligible employees can exercise this option only once. The order applies to all beneficiaries under both CGHS and CS(MA) Rules, subject to existing dependency and eligibility conditions. If an employee chooses to include parents, the option cannot later be shifted to parents-in-law, and vice versa.
Background of the Reforms
This directive is part of ongoing reforms to expand flexibility under government health schemes. In July 2023, the government extended the choice of including either parents or parents-in-law to male central government employees for the first time, aligning them with female employees who already had this provision. In March 2024, the facility was further extended to beneficiaries under the CS(MA) Rules, 1944, following repeated representations and queries seeking similar benefits.
Streamlining Implementation
Officials stated that the fresh instructions aim to streamline implementation across ministries and departments, preventing repeated changes in dependency declarations under government-funded health schemes. CGHS provides cashless and reimbursement-based healthcare to lakhs of serving and retired central government employees and their dependents through wellness centres and empanelled hospitals nationwide. Dependency criteria are linked to income limits and other eligibility conditions prescribed under the scheme.
Author Details
Anuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with 18 years of experience in narrative journalism, specializing in health and heritage reporting.
