Retiring Central Government employees may now find CGHS pensioner card application processing easier as the Health Ministry has integrated the CGHS web portal with the Bhavishya web portal. In an office memorandum (OM), the ministry has said that under the integrated system approved pension-related details available on the Bhavishya portal will be automatically fetched for pre-filling of the CGHS pensioner card application. The ministry further said that the purpose of the new facility is to provide a simplified, paperless and technology-enabled additional facility of CGHS pensioner card application processing to retiring central government employees. What has changed for retiring central government employees? Earlier, pension-related details were processed on the Bhavishya app, but the employee had to separately apply for a CGHS pensioner card. It means, they had to fill the same information twice. Due to this, there was additional paperwork and manual verification. Under the integrated system, once the Bhavishya app approves pension details, the details will be automatically pulled into the CGHS application. The Bhavishya app provides online tracking of pension sanction and payment process by the individual as well as the administrative authorities. While the new system will reduce paperwork and manual data entry work, it will also reduce delays and prevent duplication of information. Who will benefit from new CGHS integrated system? Retiring central government employees eligible for CGHS card benefits on retirement will benefit from the integrated system. PAN card to be used as unique identifier The Health Ministry said that PAN will be used as the unique identifier for real-time validation and exchange of data between the CGHS online system and the Bhavishya portal. How will CGHS pensioner card be generated? Upon the verification of pension forms by the Head of Office, generation of the Pension Payment Order (PPO) and online payment of CGHS contribution through the integrated BharatKosh payment gateway, the CGHS pensioner card shall be generated. From where can retiring employees download CGHS pensioner card? The approved CGHS pensioner card can be downloaded through both the CGHS portal and the Bhavishya portal. Bhavishya-CGHS integration system is an additional option The ministry said that the Bhavishya-CGHS integration system is only an additional option as retiring central government employees can still use the existing online CGHS application process through the official CGHS portal. What is CGHS? Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) provides comprehensive medical care to central government employees and pensioners enrolled under the scheme. As per its official website, presently approximately 42 lakh beneficiaries are covered by CGHS in 80 cities all over India. Facilities available under CGHS Central government and employees get a number of healthcare facilities under the CGHS system. Some of the main facilities are: OPD treatment including issue of medicines. Specialist consultation at polyclinic/govt hospitals and at CGHS-empanelled hospitals after referral by the CGHS. OPD/indoor treatment at government and empanelled hospitals. Investigations at government and empanelled diagnostic centres. Cashless facility available for treatment in empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centres for pensioners and other identified beneficiaries. Reimbursement of expenses for treatment availed in govt/private hospitals under emergency and specific treatment advised by govt specialist