How to check CGHS card status + empanelled hospitals (2026)

1. Visit cghs.gov.in → Beneficiary Login → enter ID + password.
2. Status shows: Card Active, Validity, Family Members, Empanelled Hospitals near you.
3. Download digital CGHS card.
4. For empanelled hospital list: cghs.gov.in → Empanelled Hospitals → select city → list with categorization (general, specialty, super-specialty).
5. For claim status (reimbursement): visit Additional Director (AD) office of your city; track via My CGHS app.
6. For new card application: visit nearest CGHS Wellness Centre with HoO (Head of Office) sponsored Form 1.

What we hear from RTI Wiki users: Ms. Devi, a 71-year-old central govt pensioner in Hyderabad, lost her CGHS card. Tried to apply for replacement; status said “Pending verification” for 47 days. She filed an RTI to AD-CGHS Hyderabad asking application status + officer-in-charge + reason for delay. Reply in 23 days revealed her HoO endorsement was missing (DD signature pending). She got endorsement; replacement card issued in 12 days.

• HoO endorsement missing — for new/replacement cards. Fix: get HoO Form 1 signed.
• Family addition issue — newborn/spouse not in card. Fix: separate addition application.
• City transfer — moved to new city; old card invalid. Fix: transfer application via CGHS Wellness Centre.
• Empanelment change — your usual hospital de-empanelled. Fix: check current list; switch hospitals.
• Claim rejection — wrong package, missing pre-auth. Fix: appeal via AD-CGHS.
• Annual subscription unpaid for pensioners — Rs. 1,000-3,000/year. Fix: pay online at cghs.gov.in.

• My CGHS app lets you book OPD appointments at Wellness Centres + see medical history + track claims.
• Empanelment changes every 3-6 months — check before going to a hospital. Some big private hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, Max) regularly empanel/de-empanel.
• Pre-authorisation required for non-emergency hospitalisation > Rs. 50,000. Get it via CGHS Wellness Centre or directly from hospital's CGHS desk.
• Cashless not available? — pay first + claim reimbursement via Form Med-97 within 6 months. Approval typically 60-180 days.
• Generic medicine substitution — CGHS dispensaries push generics; if you need branded, get specific prescription from CGHS doctor.

CGHS Toll-free: 1800-208-9988 · City-wise AD-CGHS offices · web.dghs-mohfw@nic.in · My CGHS app helpdesk

The official SLA on this service is published. If your status is stuck beyond it, you have a statutory right under §6 RTI Act 2005 to demand information from the public authority. Reply mandatory in 30 days.

File an RTI to: Additional Director CGHS (AD-CGHS) of your city

Ask these 5 questions:

1. card status by beneficiary ID
2. empanelment list (latest)
3. package rates
4. my reimbursement claims
5. disputed items

→ Use our free AI RTI Drafter to generate a complete §6(1) application in 60 seconds. The Drafter pre-fills your name, address, fee statement, and the 5 questions above.

→ Or speak it in हिन्दी / English / 9 other Indian languages via AwaazRTI.

→ For deeper case-law on this scenario: Read the full RTI guide for cghs empanelment.

• Q: Who is eligible for CGHS? — Central government employees + pensioners + dependents. Not state govt employees (they have state schemes).
• Q: Cost? — Free for serving employees. Pensioners pay annual subscription based on grade pay (Rs. 1,000-3,000/year).
• Q: What if no CGHS in my city? — Use Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) of Rs. 1,000/month. Reimbursement under restricted heads.
• Q: Can I use CGHS in different city? — Yes — temporary attachment via the city's AD-CGHS, for max 6 months.
• Q: Senior citizen 70+ — additional benefit? — Yes — universal Ayushman Bharat coverage announced 2024 for all 70+; layers on top of CGHS.

To check status: use the official portal listed above with your reference number. SLA is published; if stuck beyond it, file a free RTI.

• If status is normal → wait the published SLA, then download/use your document
• If status is delayed → click 🪄 AI RTI Drafter now; complete §6 application in 60 seconds
• If status is rejected → demand reasons under §4(1)(d) RTI Act; appeal/represent
• For state-specific guidance → see state-by-state guide

• 🪄 AI RTI Drafter — type problem, get §6 application
• 🎤 AwaazRTI — voice-to-RTI in 11 Indian languages
• 🔮 Outcome Predictor — score your draft's win-likelihood
• ⚖️ First Appeal Generator — §19(1) draft on Day 31
• 📬 PIO Reply Checker — analyse evasive replies
• 📅 Timeline Calculator — track 30-day window
• 💰 Fee Calculator — state-wise fees
• 🔍 RTI Research — AI Q&A from this site

• Master guide: Full RTI for cghs empanelment
• State-by-state: Pick your state
• Citizen RTI playbook: All 100+ scenarios
• The RTI Act 2005: Complete guide
• All status-check guides: All 25 status-check pages

• RTI Act 2005 §§6, 7, 19
• Official portal (linked in Quick Facts)
• Statute referenced in Quick Facts

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.