No Plan To Change Fixed Medical Allowance For Pensioners Not Availing CGHS, Says Health Ministry

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has clarified that no proposal is under consideration to revise the fixed medical allowance (FMA) limit for pensioners not availing of the CGHS facility. Currently, the medical allowance for such pensioners is fixed at Rs 1,000 per month. This allowance has been revised multiple times in the past. It was first set at Rs 100 on December 19, 1997, then increased to Rs 300 effective from September 1, 2008. Further revisions raised it to Rs 500 on November 19, 2014, and finally to the current Rs 1,000 in 2017, effective from July 1 of that year.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on December 6, 2024, Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, clarified, "Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) is granted to Central Government pensioners and family pensioners residing in areas not covered under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) to meet their day-to-day medical expenses. The last increase in FMA to Rs 1,000 was implemented based on the recommendations of the Central Pay Commission. At present, there is no proposal to increase the Fixed Medical Allowance."

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When Is Fixed Medical Allowance Offered To CGHS Beneficiaries?

The government offers CGHS facilities to government employees and pensioners. However, those living in areas where CGHS facilities are not available are offered a ‘fixed medical allowance (FMA)’.

How Can Beneficiaries Avail Of The Fixed Medical Allowance And CGHS Facilities?

The minister, in his reply, said that the Central Government Pensioners residing in non-CGHS covered areas have the option to receive FMA instead of the OPD facilities under CGHS. Additionally, they can avail themselves of CGHS (OPD and IPD) by registering and paying the required subscriptions in the nearest city where CGHS facilities are available. He further clarified, “They also have the option to avail FMA for OPD treatment and CGHS for IPD treatments after making the required subscriptions as per CGHS guidelines.”  

For now, no changes are proposed for the FMA, and it remains unchanged at Rs 1,000 per month.