CGHS/ECHS Empanelment Program
What is the CGHS/ECHS Empanelment Program
The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH-QCI), which is part of the Quality Council of India (QCI), has been assigned to assess the hospitals which can join the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and the Ex-Service Men Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). This was done through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CGHS and ECHS.
The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) are two significant programs that help dental clinics, medical imaging centers, laboratories, eye hospitals, and allopathic hospitals get on the list of recognized providers.
The purpose of these initiatives is to enable healthcare providers and hospitals to treat the government employees covered under CGHS / ECHS. The hospital receives the payment as per the approved rates.
Benefits about the CGHS/ECHS empanelment program
Successfully completing the QCI Inspection enables the healthcare providers to empanel the CGHS/ECHS programs and treat such patients.
Setting standards ensures that all clinical and administrative duties are carried out in an organized manner, which enhances the safety and care of patients. This gives the healthcare facility a good reputation which brings in more patients who are covered under these schemes
Eligibility Criteria:
Only allopathic healthcare organizations, like private hospitals and stand-alone facilities like eye hospitals and centers, dental clinics, diagnostic labs, and imaging centers, can apply. For CGHS empanelment, the minimum number of sanctioned beds is
- 50 beds (Metro cities)
- 30 beds (Non-metro cities)
As part of the scope of services, it is important to provide basic laboratory and imaging facilities on site.
Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a third-party facility for radiology services can be done.
The outsourced facilities should not be more than 1.5 kilometers from the main HCO building, though.
The hospital must be fully functioning and operational at least 3 months before applying for the empanelment program.
For information about the fees
Process for Empanelment Program:
It generally takes approximately 4-6 months to receive the letter from NABH/ QCI after which the hospital can apply for the empanelment. With the help of our CGHS/ECHS empanelment consultant, the process shall be very smooth and hassle free.
Fill out the relevant information for the hospital and the empanelment category correctly to begin the application process. Medigence’s CGHS empanelment consultant and ECHS Empanelment consultant shall guide your staff in filling up the application form.
Medigence’s CGHS empanelment consultant and ECHS Empanelment consultant shall help the healthcare organization in preparing relevant SOPs, checklists and all necessary documentation.
The hospital has 30 days from the time you submit all the required papers, such as policies, licenses, indicators, MOUs, registrations, patient files, and staff information, to complete the application.
The hospital must pay the application fees after the application form is duly filled. The fee amount shall depend on the hospital's sanctioned bed capacity and the type of healthcare organization.
After the application fees are paid, a Desktop Assessor is allotted and the assessor shall assess the application form within 15 days.
In case there are any Noncompliance (NCs) raised during the desktop review phase, the hospital shall have maximum two chances to resolve the same within another 15 days time.
After the desktop assessment is completed, the dates for the onsite assessments will be scheduled, and the assessor details shall be made available to the hospital.
One assessor for one day shall be assigned to the healthcare organisation. They will report immediately to the NABH Accreditation Committee after they have assessed over all the paperwork and infrastructure requirements as per the guidelines.
The committee will look at the outcomes of the evaluation and decide whether to confirm the hospital’s eligibility for empanelment. The letter of confirmation is then sent to the hospital which is valid for two years. You need to start the procedure of renewing the certificate six months before it expires.
Why should your company choose Medigence for the CGHS/ECHS empanelment program?
CGHS & ECHS Eligibility Check :
Simplifying CGHS & ECHS Standards :
The biggest problem is that there isn’t an official book or guide, so it’s hard to know and interpret the standards. Medigence has a clear checklist based on our experiences, and our CGHS empanelment consultant and ECHS Empanelment consultant provides you with the training and relevant tools that are ready to use to make the procedure streamlined.
End-to-End Application Assistance :
Pre-Assessment Preparation :
We understand the stress level of the healthcare organization particularly on the day of assessment where you may get some idea about the rejection or clearance. Medigence’s CGHS empanelment consultant and ECHS Empanelment consultant plays a crucial role before the assessment by doing an intensive mock assessment so that your staff gets ready to face the assessment, ensuring you should get the approval for further empanelment process.
Staff Training & Sensitization :
Staff training and sensitisation is the key whenever you are applying for any type of assessment. Medigence’s CGHS empanelment consultant and ECHS Empanelment consultant provide practical and hands-on training to the doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff.
SUCCESS STORY:
Suryam Imagine Centre
Medigence helped us clear all our doubts and guided us effectively, even with our old centre setup and existing AERB machinery. They assisted us in preparing the correct documentation and provided cost-effective solutions, addressing even the smallest requirements. Their support made the entire process smooth and efficient.
Shivam Dental Clinic
We have been associated with Medigence Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for the last three years. Even with our small rented dental clinic setup, they supported us throughout both the CGHS and ECHS processes. They helped us draft proper signage according to our facility requirements and were always available whenever we needed assistance. Their team stayed with us until the empanelment letter was received. They also maintained continuous follow-up from their side and made the entire process smooth and easy with their strong networking and timely guidance.
Aashay Eye Hospital
Our small eye hospital in Himmatnagar is a Tier-2 city setup, yet Medigence continuously motivated us to implement the required standards. Their documentation support and infrastructure knowledge are excellent, backed by years of experience in this field. I have been associated with them since 2018, and their guidance has consistently helped us improve and streamline our processes.