Medical Benefits Option for Central Government Employees: Parents or Parents-in-Law

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued an important clarification regarding medical benefits under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944. Under the finalized guidelines, both male and female Central Government employees now have the explicit option to select either their parents or their parents-in-law as dependent family members to avail of medical facilities.

Key Guidelines & Conditions:

• One-Time Choice: Employees are permitted to exercise this choice as a strict one-time option.
• Irrevocable Selection (Parents): Once an employee opts for their parents, they cannot change the dependency status to parents-in-law at a later stage, even in the event of the parents' demise or other circumstances.
• Irrevocable Selection (Parents-in-Law): Similarly, if an employee initially exercises the option in favor of their parents-in-law, it cannot subsequently be reverted to their parents.
• Standard Eligibility Applies: All chosen dependents are still required to meet the prescribed conditions regarding dependency and residence under the respective rules and schemes.