Is skin treatment covered under CGHS?

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Yes, medically necessary skin treatments for diagnosed conditions (like infections, eczema, psoriasis, and skin biopsies) are covered under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) at empanelled hospitals and wellness centers.

❌ What Is Not Covered

  • Cosmetic procedures: Elective or aesthetic treatments like laser toning, chemical peels, or anti-aging procedures.
  • Skincare products: Over-the-counter items like basic skin moisturizers are explicitly non-admissible for reimbursement.

📋 How to Avail Treatment

  • Consultation: Visit your local CGHS Wellness Centre first to get an initial evaluation or a referral.
  • Specialist Referral: Obtain a referral from the CGHS medical officer if you need to see a dermatologist or undergo specialized procedures at an empanelled private hospital.
  • Emergencies: In sudden medical emergencies, you can directly visit a CGHS-empanelled hospital for cashless treatment without a prior referral.

Which items are not reimbursable under CGHS?

Under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), items and services that are non-medical, personal comfort-oriented, or considered nutritional/cosmetic supplements are not reimbursable.

Non-Reimbursable Items and Services

  • Toiletries and Personal Care: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shower gel, coconut oil, talcum powder, and sanitary napkins.
  • Comfort and Convenience Items: Telephone charges, extra bedding, mineral water, personal clothing, and room-associated convenience accessories.
  • Food and Nutritional Supplements: Tonics, primary food supplements, and dietary items not listed in the official CGHS formulary.
  • Cosmetics and Beauty Services: Cosmetic procedures, aesthetic implants, and beauty parlor charges (such as hair cutting or shaving).
  • Certain Medicines and Vaccines: Preventive vaccines, lifestyle drugs, and over-the-counter vitamins, minerals, or antioxidants outside the approved CGHS formulary guidelines.
  • Administrative and Miscellaneous Fees: Attendant charges, mortuary fees, communication fees, and non-medical service certificates.

Consult the CGHS Billing Guidelines for complete annexures on admissible versus non-admissible medical billing items.

Which CGHS-approved skin hospitals are located in Delhi?

Several CGHS-approved (Central Government Health Scheme) hospitals and specialized centers offering dermatology or skin treatments are located in Delhi.

Top CGHS-Approved Skin and Dermatology Facilities in Delhi

  • Skin Institute and School of Dermatology3.8(281)Skin care clinicGreater Kailash
    • Location: N-Block, Opposite Lady Shri Ram College, Greater Kailash-I, New Delhi - 110048
    • Details: A well-known specialized center providing comprehensive treatments, procedures, and schooling in dermatology.
  • Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital4.9(26.5K)HospitalNew Delhi, Delhi
    • Location: Dharamshila Marg, Vasundhara Enclave (Near Ashok Nagar Metro Station), Delhi - 110096
    • Details: A major multi-specialty facility that includes a dedicated Dermatology & Venereology department empanelled under CGHS.
  • Bansal Global Hospital4.3(396)HospitalDelhi
    • Location: C-10, Ramgarh, Jahangirpuri, Delhi - 110033
    • Details: Offers multi-specialty care including treatments for skin-related disorders under the CGHS panel.
  • Saroj Super Speciality Hospital4.2(5.0K)HospitalNew Delhi, Delhi
    • Location: Sector-14 Extension, Near Madhuban Chowk, Rohini, New Delhi - 110085
    • Details: A prominent NABH-accredited facility in North-West Delhi empanelled with CGHS for broad multi-specialty and general health services.

You can verify the live and updated directory of empanelled facilities directly through the CGHS Empanelled Portal.

Is laser treatment covered under CGHS?

Laser treatment is covered under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) only if it is medically necessary and listed in the official CGHS package rate list.

Covered vs. Non-Covered Laser Treatments

  • Covered Treatments: Medically required laser procedures—such as YAG laser for eye conditions, laser treatment for specific cancers/tumors, laser ablation for varicose veins, and greenlight laser surgery for the prostate—have approved package rates.
  • Non-Covered Treatments: Cosmetic laser treatments or elective procedures to remove eyeglasses (like standard LASIK for vision correction) are generally not covered.

Important Rules for Claiming Coverage

  • Prior Permission: Many specialized laser procedures require formal referral or prior authorization from a CGHS wellness center.
  • Empanelled Facilities: Treatment must be done at a CGHS empanelled hospital or government facility to avail of cashless or reimbursement benefits.
  • Capping on Expenses: Reimbursement is strictly restricted to the specified CGHS ceiling rates for that procedure code.

What all is covered under CGHS?

The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) provides comprehensive medical care coverage for active and retired central government employees and their eligible dependents.

Core Services Covered

  • Outpatient Department (OPD) Treatment: Consultations with General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs) or specialists at CGHS Wellness Centres, polyclinics, or government hospitals, along with the dispensing of prescribed medicines.
  • Inpatient (Indoor) Treatment: Hospitalization expenses for medical, surgical, and critical care procedures at empanelled government and private hospitals.
  • Diagnostic Investigations: Routine and special laboratory tests, X-rays, and advanced imaging (such as CT, MRI, and PET scans) at approved diagnostic centers.
  • Emergency Treatment: Cashless or reimbursable emergency medical care availed at empanelled or private hospitals.
  • AYUSH Systems: Medical consultation and dispensing of medicines under alternative systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
  • Maternity & Child Health: Prenatal care, childbirth services, postnatal care, immunization, and family welfare services.
  • Assistive Devices: Reimbursement support for approved medical appliances, artificial limbs, and hearing aids subject to prior permission and ceiling rates.

Key Financial & Operational Features

  • No Annual Limit: There is no yearly monetary cap on treatment expenses under the scheme.
  • Cashless Facilities: Available for pensioners and designated cardholders at empanelled hospitals and diagnostic facilities.
  • Referral System: Structured referrals from a CGHS Wellness Centre are generally required for specialist consultations and planned hospitalizations (with exceptions for senior citizens aged 70 and above).

Cashless Eye Treatment for CGHS Card Holders

9 related questions found

What is the maximum limit for a CGHS claim?

The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) does not have a single fixed overall maximum monetary limit for medical claims or treatment.

Key Details on Limits and Ceilings

  • No Overall Cap: Hospitalization and treatment costs at empanelled facilities or government centers do not face a general yearly cap, provided the treatments follow prescribed rules and CGHS rates.
  • Departmental Settlement Limits: Heads of departments can settle medical claims up to Rs 10 lakh without consulting the Integrated Finance Division (IFD), and up to Rs 5 lakh for claims without rule relaxation strictly per CGHS rates.
  • Specific Item Ceilings: Certain medical appliances and devices have fixed rate ceilings (for instance, specific hearing aids or cardiac devices), and minor follow-up investigations at primary hospitals are capped at Rs 3,000 unless a prior referral is obtained.
  • Entitlements: Room rent and ward entitlements (General, Semi-Private, or Private) depend strictly on the beneficiary's basic pay scale or pay level.

Can I get reimbursed for the cost of spectacles under CGHS?

No, regular prescription spectacles and reading glasses are generally not reimbursable under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).

Key Details on Eye Care Coverage

  • Prescription Glasses: CGHS does not provide reimbursement for routine spectacles or general weakening of eyesight.
  • Cataract Surgery Lenses: While routine post-operative spectacles are not covered, intraocular lenses (IOL) used during cataract surgery performed at empanelled or government hospitals are covered under approved package rates.
  • Other Aids: Unlike hearing aids or specific major medical equipment, standard optical frames and lenses fall outside the list of admissible medical devices for general claims.

Does CGHS cover skin treatment?

Yes, the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) covers medically necessary skin treatments and dermatologist consultations, but it excludes purely cosmetic procedures.

What Is Covered

  • Consultations and Diagnostics: You can consult a dermatologist at a CGHS Wellness Centre or get referred to an empanelled hospital. Medical tests, biopsies, and treatments for diagnosed skin diseases, infections, and allergies are included.
  • Minor Skin Procedures: CGHS lists approved package rates for specific therapeutic procedures, such as the excision of warts, moles, corns, and molluscum contagiosum, as well as chemical cautery and keloid injections.
  • Advanced Therapies: Specialized treatments like phototherapy (for conditions like vitiligo or psoriasis) are covered when performed in recognized government or empanelled facilities.

What Is Not Covered

  • Purely cosmetic treatments (such as elective anti-aging lasers, skin-whitening, or cosmetic scar removal) are generally excluded from coverage.

Which hospitals in Delhi are CGHS empanelled in 2026?

Delhi has 485 Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) empanelled facilities, which include over 114 major hospitals, alongside specialized eye care, dental clinics, and diagnostic centers.

Prominent CGHS Empanelled Hospitals in Delhi

  • Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital (Dwarka)
  • Batra Hospital and Medical Research Centre (Tughlakabad Institutional Area)
  • BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital (Pusa Road)
  • Delhi Heart and Lung Institute (Paharganj)
  • Dharamshila Narayana Super Specialty Hospital (Vasundhara Enclave)
  • Manipal Hospital / Human Care Medical Charitable Trust (Sector 6, Dwarka)
  • Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (Vasant Kunj)
  • Max Super Speciality Hospital (Saket, Patparganj, and Shalimar Bagh)
  • Fortis Healthcare (Shalimar Bagh)

Finding the Full Official List

Because the list of empanelled facilities is frequently updated with new additions, you can view, search, and download the complete dynamic directory via the CGHS Empanelled Hospitals Portal. You can also browse a consolidated breakdown through CGHS Hospitals Delhi Directory.

Note: For planned treatments, central government beneficiaries generally require a referral from their designated CGHS wellness center, whereas emergencies do not require prior authorization.

Can a CGHS card holder directly go to an empanelled hospital?

No, regular CGHS card holders cannot directly go to a private empanelled hospital for planned treatments without a referral, except in medical emergencies or for beneficiaries aged 70 years and above.

General Rules for Direct Visits

  • Standard Beneficiaries (Under 70): You must first visit a CGHS Wellness Centre or government specialist to get a formal referral/permission letter before going to a private empanelled hospital.
  • Medical Emergencies: Any valid CGHS card holder can directly go to any empanelled hospital for emergency admission and treatment without any prior referral. Empanelled hospitals are not allowed to refuse emergency admission.
  • Senior Citizens (70 Years and Above): Beneficiaries aged 70 and above can directly visit private empanelled hospitals for OPD specialist consultations and routine investigations costing up to ₹3,000 without a referral.

When a Referral or Permission is Still Required (Even for 70+ Seniors)

  • Hospital Admissions (IPD): Planned surgeries, treatments, or any procedure requiring indoor admission still require prior estimation, quotation, and formal endorsement/permission from CGHS authorities.
  • High-End Investigations: Tests costing more than ₹3,000 (such as MRI, CT scans, or PET scans) require a formal referral endorsement.