Widowed and divorced daughters returning to live with parents can now be added to their parents’ Central Govt Health Scheme (CGHS) cards, even after the death of the govt employee or pensioner in whose name the original card was issued. Health ministry has allowed eligible daughters to be added or reinstated in cards held by family pensioners.The move will help parents supporting daughters with no independent income who need medical care. Earlier, once the original cardholder died and the spouse began receiving family pension, there was no provision to add or reinstate dependent family members.The ministry said it had received representations from pensioners facing difficulties supporting such daughters, particularly those with serious medical conditions requiring continued treatment. The benefit will not be automatic: authorities will verify daughter’s marital status, income and dependency.All other CGHS eligibility conditions will continue to apply, the Oct 28 order said. It has been circulated to all central govt ministries and departments and DG of CGHS.
