7th Pay Commission: The central government has revised the rates of over 2,000 medical procedures, providing major relief to both private hospitals and central government employees. This decision fulfils the long-pending demands of the health sector and CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) beneficiaries.
The revised CGHS rates will come into effect from October 13. The new rates will vary according to the type of hospital, ward category and city classification. For example, rates for listed private hospitals in tier-2 cities will be 10% lower and 20% lower in tier-3 cities compared to tier-1 cities.
What is the detail
This move is expected to improve both the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, while also significantly reducing payment-related conflicts between hospitals and staff. Under the recent revision of CGHS rates by the central government, hospitals will now be paid based on their accreditation and quality. Accredited hospitals that meet the standards of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) or the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) will be paid the full rate. Non-accredited hospitals will receive a 15% reduction. Additionally, super-specialty hospitals will receive 15% higher rates. Thus, reimbursement for treatment costs will be determined based on the standards of the area, hospital, and ward.
What are NABH and NABL?
– NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers) — It is an accreditation body that focuses on patient safety, quality of treatment and ethical standards in hospitals.
– NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) — This organization accredits testing, calibration and medical laboratories to ensure technical competence and quality of testing.
Both the organizations work under the Quality Council of India (QCI).
Major revision after many years
Although the central government has been revising CGHS rates from time to time, this time’s revision is considered to be the biggest revision yet—not only in terms of rates but also in terms of the number of tests and procedures included. CGHS beneficiaries have long complained that hospitals often refused to provide cashless treatment, forcing patients to pay first and then wait for a refund. On the other hand, hospitals said that the old rates fixed for the treatment and tests of many serious diseases did not even cover the cost. The new revision is expected to ensure timely treatment for patients and provide financial relief to hospitals.
