New health insurance for Central Govt employees: What 7th Pay Commission, 6th and 4th CPCs said

Three pay commissions in the past recommended a new health insurance plan for Central Government employees and pensioners. However, it is yet to be realised, even as the government has shown interest in having such a scheme.

Currently, the Central Government employees and pensioners are covered by the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), which has a limited reach. Therefore, it has been felt by pay commissions in the past that the government should introduce a separate health insurance scheme.

Let's look at what the previous pay commissions said on this issue:

The 6th CPC further recommended medical cover for those retiring after the introduction of the insurance scheme.

"The Commission strongly recommends the introduction of health insurance scheme for Central Government employees and pensioners," 7th CPC said in its report.

Till the introduction of such a scheme, the 7th CPC suggested a move for the benefit of pensioners residing outside the CGHS areas.

"The Commission recommends that CGHS should empanel those hospitals which are already empaneled under CS (MA)/ECHS for catering to the medical requirement of these pensioners on a cashless basis."

"This would involve strengthening of administrative capacity of the nearest CGHS centres. However, this step will go a long way in ameliorating the pending grievances of these pensioners," it added.

The scheme is likely to be implemented by insurance companies registered with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI). However, there is no official confirmation about the scheme from the Government yet.