In a significant move set to ease the operational burden on healthcare providers and improve the experience for patients, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has simplified the guidelines regarding geo-tagged photo uploads under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).
This update comes as a relief for both CGHS-empanelled hospitals and beneficiaries, especially elderly patients and those undergoing inpatient care.
Key Update: One-Time Waiver Announced
The Ministry has announced a one-time waiver on the mandatory daily geo-tagged photograph uploads for Inpatient Department (IPD) cases. This applies retrospectively—covering the period from when the earlier mandate was issued up until this new directive.
New Simplified Rules – At a Glance
1. IPD Cases (Inpatient Department):
With e-Referral: No geo-tagged photos required if the referral is uploaded on the National Health Authority (NHA) portal.
Without e-Referral: Only two photos needed—one at the time of admission and another at discharge.
If the hospital stay exceeds 7 days, then an additional photo is needed every 7th day.
2. OPD Cases (Outpatient Department):
With referral: No photo required.
Without referral: Photo required only in the following special cases:
Patients aged 70 years or above
Follow-up visits without a new referral
Bedridden patients (A screenshot from video consultation is accepted as valid evidence)
Technical Requirements:
All photos must be geo-tagged using smartphones or tablets.
Must be uploaded within 24 hours.
Hospitals are required to retain a local backup of images for 90 days for potential audits.
Strict Compliance Required
Hospitals failing to comply with these updated rules may face withheld payments or even rejected claims under the CGHS Empanelment Agreement.
What This Means
This much-needed reform is aimed at reducing administrative load, improving ease of service, and maintaining transparency and accountability in CGHS-covered treatments. It balances the need for documentation with the practical challenges faced by hospitals, especially in handling elderly and critical patients.
As the CGHS continues to expand its reach and accessibility, such policy adjustments reinforce the government’s commitment to people-first healthcare reform.
