Two months ago, the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) launched an online service for beneficiaries to view their medical history.
Although employees and retirees have received the SMS informing them about the facility, few have been able to access it.
Under the scheme, central government employees and beneficiaries can register using their identity card details. According to the website, beneficiaries will be sent a password to the registered mobile phone. The beneficiary can use the password to log in and view his/her medical history.
Very few employees and retirees have used the facility so far. While employees say they would rather meet the doctor in person, retirees have been unable to access the facility.
T. Sadagopan, who runs a district information centre for retirees in Pattabhiram, said he had been trying to help the beneficiaries but without success. “My father retired from service and is covered under the CGHS. I have taken him for treatment several times to CGHS hospitals. The CGHS revises its panel of hospitals and diagnostic laboratories from time to time. We need to access such information regularly,” he said.
At private hospitals, he had to follow tedious procedures to access treatment, he said.
“Every time my father is provided medicine at a CGHS hospital, I receive an SMS alert. I have registered online and I received the password to log in. But I have tried several times but have not been able to open the account,” Mr. Sadagopan said. He said, no one has helped him or other beneficiaries to resolve the issue. “The CGHS helpline which works from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. provides information. Online registration is a good move as beneficiaries from other states can access details about facilities elsewhere. This helps especially when they are either transferred or opt to settle in another city after retirement,” he said.
T. K. Damodaran, joint secretary of Ordnance Factory Pensioners Welfare Association said the beneficiary ID can help locate all the details such as the disease and the medicine provided. “But I have not been able to log in. CGHS beneficiaries in Chennai have not been given the smart cards which we can use whenever we seek treatment,” he said.
When contacted, a senior official at CGHS said a registered beneficiary can access information about facilities available, entitlement, empanelled hospitals and holidays etc. “We launched the facility two months ago and we have had no complaints. Those who face problems can come to our Besant Nagar office and we will demonstrate it to them. They can also go to the nearest CGHS dispensary where the staff will help them,” he said.
Very few beneficiaries have been able to access online service
Website enables govt. employees, retirees to view their medical history
