Introduction

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued a significant clarification providing relief to elderly family pensioners. Under a new Office Memorandum, eligible divorced and widowed daughters can now be added or reinstated into the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) cards held by family pensioners. This article explains the new provision, who it affects, and the necessary eligibility conditions.

Official Order Details

Quick Summary

• The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has permitted the addition of eligible divorced or widowed daughters to the CGHS cards of family pensioners.
• Previously, under a 1999 rule, new dependents could not be added to a CGHS card after the original primary cardholder's death.
• The decision was made after representations highlighted the hardships of elderly family pensioners whose divorced or widowed daughters have returned to live with them and require healthcare.
• Inclusion is subject to strict verification of marital status, dependency, and income.

What Has Changed?

The Previous Rule: According to OM No. 37-1-97-C&P/CGHS/pt.III/CGHS(P) dated 26.05.1999, the CGHS card was originally issued to the family and dependents of the primary Central Government servant/pensioner. Upon their death, the spouse or children drawing the family pension could continue to avail of the same facilities. However, they were restricted to availing facilities only for those dependents who were already tied to the deceased beneficiary. There was no provision to extend or add new dependent family members to a family pensioner's CGHS card later.

The New Position: Acknowledging that many elderly family pensioners care for widowed or divorced daughters who have no independent livelihood and suffer from medical conditions, the Ministry has reversed the restriction specifically for this group. Family pensioners can now reinstate or add their eligible widowed and divorced daughters to their active CGHS cards.

Eligibility and Practical Implications

The addition of a divorced or widowed daughter to a family pensioner's CGHS card is not automatic. The process is strictly subject to the fulfillment of specific criteria established by the Ministry.

• Marital Status: Verification of the daughter's divorced or widowed status is required.
• Dependency and Income: It must be proven that the daughter is dependent on the family pensioner and meets the prescribed income eligibility limits.
• Existing Rules Apply: All other standard terms and conditions under existing CGHS rules remain applicable to this inclusion.

Family pensioners seeking to add their daughters should prepare to submit appropriate legal and financial documentation (such as divorce decrees, death certificates of the spouse, and income certificates) to their competent administrative or CGHS authority to prove dependency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Who benefits from this order?
  Elderly family pensioners holding a CGHS card who have dependent divorced or widowed daughters living with them.
• Is the inclusion automatic?
  No. It is subject to formal verification of marital status, dependency, income, and other prescribed CGHS eligibility conditions.
• Does this apply to all family members?
  No. The current memorandum specifically addresses only eligible divorced and widowed daughters. It does not specify the inclusion of other categories of dependents not previously covered.