CGHS Update: There is great news for the beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a new order, which will now make it easier to get medicines from outside shops if the medicine is not available in the dispensary. Under the new rules, now patients can buy OPD medicines from the open market, i.e., retail shops, even without a Non-Availability Certificate (NAC). This is an important change, which will directly benefit lakhs of beneficiaries.

Know what Change happened

Till now, it was mandatory to take NAC if any medicine was not available in any wellness center or Atal under CGHS. Without this certificate, patients could not get their money back for buying medicines from outside. But now, due to technical difficulties, the government has temporarily removed the condition of NAC. This decision will provide relief to lakhs of people.

New rule made easy due to change in HMIS

From 28 April 2025, the entire system (SIM) of CGHS has shifted to a new digital platform. Earlier, this system used to run on the NIC platform, but now it has been brought on the new Health Management Information System (HMIS) developed by C-DAC. Due to this change, many patients were facing problems getting medicines.

Keeping this in mind, the government has given a special exemption of one month from 28 April to 31 May 2025. Now patients can buy medicines from outside only based on a valid prescription from the doctor, and they will get reimbursement even if they do not take NAC. This is a temporary solution, but it shows that the government is committed to understanding and solving the problems of its beneficiaries.

All services will be available only on the new website

Earlier two websites of CGHS – www.cghs.gov.in and www.cghs.nic.in – were working. Now they have been closed and the new official website www.cghs.mohfw.gov.in has been started. According to the government, this new system will bring transparency and speed in providing medicines and other services. This digital transformation will make CGHS services more accessible and efficient.

How to get reimbursement

Patients have to apply for reimbursement of medicines at these places with the bill and prescription slip:

Pensioners: Reimbursement will be given after the CMO forwards it to the CGHS Additional Director of the concerned city/area.

Serving employees: Can apply for reimbursement in their department.

MPs: Can apply through the Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha Secretariat.

Own institutions and Air India employees: Can apply through the office of their respective institutions.

Old system closed

The old digital system of CGHS was started in 2005 and has never been updated in the last 20 years. On April 26, 2025, all CGHS wellness centers were closed for the general public and the old website was also closed on April 28. Now all the services are available on the new website only and the entire CGHS system has become digital. This modernization will make CGHS more effective and user friendly.