CGHS Issues New Rules: Claims to Be Rejected Without Geo-Tagged Photos in Specific Cases
CGHS Issues New Rules: Claims to Be Rejected Without Geo-Tagged Photos in Specific Cases
New CGHS guidelines offer relief for hospitals and elderly patients, simplify photo upload rules, and strengthen physiotherapy services.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has revised key procedures under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), offering hospitals a one-time waiver from daily geo-tagged photo uploads until 2025. This move comes as part of broader efforts to simplify compliance and improve patient care.
Under the updated rules, geo-tagged photos are no longer required in inpatient department (IPD) referral cases, a valid referral uploaded on the NHA portal will suffice. For non-referral IPD cases (such as emergencies, patients aged 70+, or follow-up admissions), hospitals must now upload geo-tagged photos only at the time of admission and discharge. If a hospital stay exceeds 7 days, one additional photo must be taken every seventh day. All photos should be captured within the ICU or ward. Notably, displaying the CGHS card during photography is no longer mandatory.
In outpatient department (OPD) cases, no photo is required if the patient holds a referral. However, for patients without a referral, a photo is mandatory only if the patient is above 70 years, bedridden, or undergoing follow-up care. All photos must be taken using a mobile phone or tablet, must not exceed 1 MB in size, and must be uploaded to the CGHS portal within 24 hours.
Beyond photo guidelines, the Health Ministry is also focusing on strengthening physiotherapy services. Responding to a Parliamentary query, the ministry stated that the recruitment process of physiotherapists at CGHS Wellness Centers has been expedited. As of now, only one physiotherapist position is vacant. Five physiotherapists currently serve at the Parliament House Complex Medical Center, deputed from Safdarjung and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia hospitals.
CGHS beneficiaries can access physiotherapy at any government hospital or CGHS-panelled private hospital. Additionally, domiciliary physiotherapy services remain available for those in need, following the existing 2011 guidelines.
These reforms reflect the ministry’s focus on making CGHS more transparent, efficient, and patient-centric especially for the elderly and the critically ill. Beneficiaries are encouraged to stay informed about the changes to avoid any disruption in care and to ensure smooth access to entitled services.
