209. Daily Rules Recap - Mandatory Linking of CGHS ID with Ayushman Bharat Health Account ID – Kept under abeyance
• The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOH & FW), via its Office Memorandum (OM) dated January 2023, instructed the linking of CGHS ID with ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) ID.
• This linking is intended to enable paperless access to health records, from registration to treatment, with multiple ABDM (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission) registered healthcare providers.
• All medical reports linked to ABHA are stored and can be accessed; they will not be shared with others without the approval of the data owner.
• Initially, this linking was not compulsory and was only optional.
• However, as per the OM dated March 28, 2024, it was made mandatory for all CGHS beneficiaries.
• This mandatory requirement was effective from January 1, 2024, with linking to be completed within 30 days by all existing CGHS beneficiaries.
• Subsequently, the deadline for linking the ABHA number with the CGHS card was extended via a memo dated April 15, 2024, which laid down a new timeframe:
• Creation of ABHA ID (ABHA Number): 3 months from June 30, 2024.
• Linking of ABHA Number with CGHS Card: 120 days from June 30, 2024.
• KIOSKS were to be made operational at all CGHS Centres by June 30, 2024.
• CGHS beneficiaries could visit their nearest wellness centre on a need basis for updating their mobile number, making corrections if any, and linking their CGHS beneficiary ID to their ABHA number from July 1, 2024, onwards (Director CGHS No Z15025/23/2023/DIR/CGHS dated April 15, 2024).
• All CG Unions have recorded their concern and are demanding the cancellation of the linking with ABHA, citing that CGHS facilities would be diluted due to this linking.
• They argue that CGHS beneficiaries should not be treated on par with BPL/ABHA beneficiaries.
• Furthermore, there should be no restriction on availing treatment from CGHS-approved hospitals.
• Now, due to severe protests from all service unions, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has kept the order dated March 28, 2024, in abeyance.
• Consequently, linking is currently voluntary and not mandatory for CGHS beneficiaries.
( Min of Health & FW No,44/88/MCTC/CGHS/2024/DIR dated 25.6.2024)
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