{
  "id": 8394001,
  "title": "Employees outside CGHS areas can now opt for CGHS",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/employees-outside-cghs-areas-can-now-opt-for-cghs",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-19T04:56:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/save/cghs-new-rule-central-government-employees-outside-cghs-areas-can-now-opt-for-cghs/articleshow/134347320.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The central government has lifted the geographical limitations on Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) benefits for serving employees. As per an office memorandum dated September 17, 2026, issued by the Employees’ Health Scheme section of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, CGHS-eligible employees can now opt to become beneficiaries, regardless of their location. This change aims to alleviate difficulties faced by those residing or posted outside the CGHS coverage area, or in cities not covered by CGHS.\n\nPreviously, CGHS coverage for serving employees was generally limited to a five-kilometer radius of a CGHS Wellness Centre, with specific designations made by additional directors in certain cities. However, the government has now removed these restrictions entirely. Employees can exercise a one-time option to become CGHS beneficiaries, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria and pay the required CGHS contribution or subscription.\n\nUnder the new rules, employees previously confined to the CS(MA) Rules due to their residence or posting outside CGHS coverage can choose CGHS, along with its associated benefits. Under CS(MA) Rules, such employees could reimburse medical expenses but lacked cashless facilities. With CGHS, they can now access cashless medical care.\n\nThe option to switch from the CS(MA) Rules to CGHS is available once, and once exercised, it will be final and binding, subject to eligibility conditions. Importantly, the choice made by the principal beneficiary will apply to all eligible dependents, and CGHS benefits cannot be claimed alongside CS(MA) benefits for the same individual or family. Additionally, no traveling allowance or daily allowance (TA/DA) will be paid for treatment or medicine procurement under CGHS rules.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}