RSCWS requests to include CGHS rates for Retired Railway Pensioners in NABH Accreditation Hospitals
RAILWAY SENIOR CITIZENS WELFARE SOCIETY
(Estd. 1991, Regd. No. 1881 – Under Registration of Societies Act),
IDENTIFIED BY DOP&PW – UNDER PENSIONERS’ PORTAL GOVT. OF INDIA
FORMER MEMBER, SCOVA (STANDING COMMITTEE FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES)
AFFILIATED WITH BHARAT PENSION SAMAJ DELHI
No. RSCWS/CHD/Health/2025-23
Dated: 19-11-2025
The Secretary,
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
Government of India,
Nirman Bhawan,
New Delhi – 110011.
Subject: Request to incorporate a clause in the Accreditation Schedule of NABH to provide CGHS rates to retired Railway pensioners holding valid UMID (Unique Medical Identification) or Retirement identity cards.
Respected Sir/Madam,
The Railway Senior Citizens Welfare Society (RSCWS), representing the interests and welfare of retired railway employees across India, wishes to draw your kind attention to an important issue concerning healthcare accessibility and affordability for retired railway pensioners. Presently, hospitals accredited under the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) cater to beneficiaries under various government health schemes, including the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), the Defense (ECHS) and the Railway Health Services. However, a large number of retired railway pensioners, despite holding valid Unique Medical Identity (UMID) cards, face difficulties in availing treatment at CGHS rates in these accredited hospitals.
In order to ensure uniformity, fairness, and ease of access to quality medical care for this senior citizen group, it is earnestly requested that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare may kindly consider incorporating the following clause in the Accreditation Schedule and related empanelment norms of NABH:
“All NABH-accredited hospitals shall extend medical services and treatments to all retired central government pensioners, including Railway pensioners possessing valid UMID cards, at rates applicable to CGHS beneficiaries, for all available specialties and procedures.”
This will be irrespective of the provision whether any NABH hospital is empanelled or not by the respective organization. If empanelled, the parent organization like Railway will bear the expenses; and if not, the employee concerned will get treatment – OPD or IPD at CGHS rates and will make the payment himself and may seek reimbursement from his parent organization.
Such an inclusion will:
- Harmonize the treatment and billing structure for all Central Government pensioners including Railway pensioners.
- Prevent financial hardship among aged retired Railway pensioners.
- Strengthen the spirit of social welfare and equality among government retirees.
- Simplify administrative processes for hospitals by aligning rates under a uniform CGHS Schedule.
We, therefore, appeal to the Ministry to kindly examine this proposal favorably and issue appropriate directions to the hospitals accredited under NABH and concerned authorities to incorporate the above clause in the Accreditation Schedule.
We shall be grateful for your kind consideration and necessary action in this regard.
With respectful regards,
Yours faithfully,
(G.P. Singh)
Secretary General
Railway Senior Citizens Welfare Society
Copy to: –
1. Chairman, Railway Board , Ministry of Railways, New Delhi: – for follow up action please with
Ministry of health & family welfare.
2. CEO, NABH, Quality Council of India, New Delhi :– for information and an early action please.
3. Principal Chief Medical Director, Northern Railway Head Qtr, New Delhi-110001
4. Principal Executive Director (Health), COFMOW Building, New Delhi-110002
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