Decentralisation of Approval Procedure for CGHS STC-Related Cases (OM Date: 01.09.2026)
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an Office Memorandum (File no. 56-1/2026-27/CGHS/MSD) on September 1, 2026, detailing the decentralization of the approval procedure for selected Standing Technical Committee (STC) related cases under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). This directive is intended to streamline the approval process and updates the existing referral guidelines. All previous instructions requiring STC examination are superseded by this Office Memorandum from its date of issue.
Key Highlights
- Approval authority for STC-related cases is now decentralized to the concerned Additional Director, CGHS, within delegated financial powers.
- No separate referral or permission is required if treatment is taken at AIIMS, Institutions of National Importance, Tata Memorial Hospital, or other Central/State Government medical institutions.
- Each case requires scrutiny by a three-member Local Technical Committee before approval.
- A complete case shall ordinarily be decided within 15 working days from the receipt of all documents.
- Post-facto approval may be considered under emergency or unavoidable circumstances, subject to the same scrutiny.
Applicable Categories for Decentralized Approval
The revised procedure applies to the following five categories of cases:
| Category | Nature of cases covered |
|---|---|
| Category-1 | All Transplant cases having notified CGHS package rates or guidelines. |
| Category-2 | Listed procedures, devices, and treatment items having notified CGHS rates or guidelines (including TAVI, DBS, IVL, cochlear implants, CPAP, BIPAP, Oxygen concentrators, and CSII pumps). |
| Category-3 | STC-restricted medicines included in the list displayed on the CGHS website. |
| Category-4 | Unlisted procedures, investigations, implants, medicines, devices, and other treatments. |
| Category-5 | Robotic surgery for cancer cases. |
Mandatory Conditions for Approval
- The case must be supported by a recommendation, advice, or prescription from one Government Specialist from a Central/State government institution.
- If a government recommendation is not available, the case must be supported by two specialists of the concerned specialty from two different CGHS-empanelled hospitals.
- For STC-restricted medicines, the approved indication will be verified against the regulatory status granted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
- Cases exceeding the delegated financial powers of the Additional Director, or not covered in the categories above, shall be referred to the Directorate.
Administrative Provisions and Timelines
According to Annexure I of the order, cases will be examined by a Local Technical Committee headed by the Additional Director and two GDMOs (preferably with Medicine and/or Surgery experience). The concerned office must communicate any deficiencies in documents within 3 working days. Furthermore, relevant records are to be retained for audit purposes, and monthly reports must be submitted to the Directorate.
Conclusion
This decentralization order empowers Additional Directors of CGHS to process specialized treatments and STC-restricted items more efficiently. By allowing specific categories to be cleared at the local level with a structured timeline, the Ministry aims to improve the healthcare experience for CGHS beneficiaries.
Educational Purpose Only: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.
Accuracy & Mistakes: While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, human errors or omissions may occur.
No Liability: Under no circumstances shall the author or this website be held liable for any loss arising from the use of this information.
Are you a Central Government Employee?
Don’t stay in the dark! Vital updates on Service Rules, Pension policies, and your career are happening right now.
Add as Preferred Source on Google
Follow us to ensure our latest exclusive reports appear first in your Google Search and Discover feed.
Comments
Post a Comment