Govt Adjourns Mandatory Linking of CGHS with Ayushman Bharat Health Account

Per the latest directive, beneficiaries can still link the two IDs, if they wish to do so. However, it is not mandatory until further order.

In a significant development, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has adjourned the compulsory linkage of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiary IDs with Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs until further notice.

The directive, which was initially slated to be enforced from April 1, 2024, mandated all CGHS beneficiaries to link their IDs with ABHA IDs within a 30-day timeframe.

This decision, aimed at streamlining healthcare access under the 7th Central Pay Commission reforms, has now been deferred amidst a policy review.

However, taking a complete U-turn, the government has now suspended the compulsory linking of CGHS IDs to ABHA IDs.

In an office memorandum, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said, "Linkage of CGHS Beneficiary ID with Ayushman Bharat Health Account ID (ABHA ID) has been made mandatory and to state that the matter has been reviewed in the Ministry and the undersigned is directed to convey the approval of Competent Authority that the implementation of the above referred OM dated 28.03.2024 is kept in abeyance till further orders."

The move to suspend mandatory linking comes amidst varied responses from CGHS beneficiaries and stakeholders.

While the option to link CGHS beneficiary IDs with ABHA IDs remains open, it is now voluntary. Per the latest directive, beneficiaries can still link the two IDs, if they wish to do so. However, it is not mandatory until further order.

Previously, the union health ministry issued a circular directing the mandatory linking of CGHS beneficiary ID with ABHA ID.

In its circular, the ministry said, “It has been decided that linking of CGHS beneficiary ID with ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account Number) is mandatory w.e.f. 1.04.2024 and is to be completed within 30 days by all existing CGHS beneficiaries.”

According to the first circular, the direction was supposed to come into force from April 1st but it was later extended till June 30, 2024. And now it has been put on hold, until further directions.

Under the earlier orders, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had outlined the mandatory nature of this linkage, citing administrative efficiency and enhanced service delivery as primary goals.

The ABHA number, a 14-digit unique identifier, enables individuals to access, link, and share their health records digitally across multiple systems.

Linking CGHS beneficiary IDs with ABHA numbers was intended to allow central government employees to access their health records on their mobile phones.

Furthermore, CGHS beneficiaries would be able to view generated and linked health records through any Personal Health Record (PHR) apps downloaded on their mobile devices, as stated by the ministry earlier.

The CGHS scheme provides comprehensive healthcare coverage to central government employees, pensioners, and their dependent family members.

Covering approximately 50 Lakh government employees and pensioners nationwide, the scheme has seen a little over 2 lakh beneficiaries link their IDs with ABHA IDs so far.