Hospitals flag concern about new CGHS rates for patient admissions

Hospitals asked to give 20% discount on MRP of medicines, say term is unviable for them

Private hospitals say patient admissions under new rates set for the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) will become unviable, reacting after getting a circular from the health ministry this week.

The circular set rates at which hospitals empanelled under the CGHS can charge for patient admissions. There are some 4.1 million beneficiaries registered under CGHS, which caters to serving and retired Central government employees. Around 2,000 hospitals and diagnostic centres are empanelled for CGHS across India.

The circular asked hospitals to provide a flat discount of 20 per cent on maximum retail price of medicines, charge only 60 per cent