After nearly 15 years, the Central Government has comprehensively reviewed the prices of approximately 2,000 medical procedures and tests under the CGHS and released new rates. These historic rates will become effective from October 13, 2025, and will directly impact the treatment of millions of employees and pensioners. This unprecedented change aims to ensure high-quality healthcare.
New rates for super-specialty hospitals are effective today
According to the new CGHS guidelines, treatment prices at super-specialty hospitals will now be 15% higher than those at NABH-accredited hospitals. This means that if a super-specialty treatment at an NABH hospital costs ₹1 lakh, the same treatment at a super-specialty hospital in the same city will now cost ₹1.15 lakh. This increase will apply to hospitals that provide high-end services such as cardiology, neurosurgery, oncology (cancer treatment), and nephrology.
NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers) is the accreditation body for hospitals and healthcare providers, ensuring patient safety and quality of care. NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) certifies the technical competence and quality of medical laboratories. Both of these organizations, under the QCI, play a vital role in enhancing trust and standards in the healthcare system.
New CGHS rates implemented by cities and wards
The central government has differentiated the CGHS rates by city category and ward to maintain a balance between cost and quality of service. Rates in Tier-1 cities will remain standard. In contrast, rates in Tier-2 cities will be 10% lower, and in Tier-3 cities, rates will be 20% lower. This concession will also apply equally to hospitals in the northeastern states, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, providing significant relief to these regions. Ward-wise, general ward rates will be 5% lower, while private ward rates will be 5% higher. However, rates for consultations, radiotherapy, daycare, and minor medical procedures will remain unchanged across all ward categories.
New Rules for Hospitals
The new CGHS rules and rates are an effort to ensure better and transparent treatment for government employees and pensioners. Cancer surgery rates will remain at the old CGHS rates. However, chemotherapy, investigations, and radiotherapy will now be charged at the new rates. The government has clarified to all hospitals that the MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) signed before October 13, 2025, will not be valid. All empanelled hospitals will have to re-empanel themselves under the new guidelines and submit a written undertaking accepting the new terms and conditions before October 13.
Hospitals that do not submit the undertaking on time will be automatically de-empanelled. CGHS beneficiaries can now view the full list of new rates on the official CGHS website (cghs.mohfw.gov.in). The rate increases at super-specialty hospitals will provide patients with more options and facilitate access to high-quality healthcare.