CGHS Hospital Empanelment 2026-27
Complete guide to the latest CGHS empanelment cycle (2026-27), HEM 2.0 portal submission, eligibility, documents, revised package rates, and mandatory digital compliance.
📢 New Empanelment Window Open: July 1 – September 30, 2026
CGHS has released Notification No. S-11045/36/2026-CGHS (P) dated June 10, 2026 inviting fresh applications for empanelment for 2026-27. All hospitals, diagnostic centres, and imaging centres must apply online via HEM 2.0 before September 30, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. HCOs empanelled in previous cycle must re-apply for renewal.
What is CGHS?
The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) provides comprehensive healthcare to serving and retired central government employees, pensioners, and their dependents. Empanelment under CGHS allows private hospitals, diagnostic labs, and imaging centres to treat CGHS beneficiaries on a cashless basis and raise digital claims through the TMS 2.0 platform. As of 2026, over 1,200 private HCOs are empanelled nationwide.
Eligibility Criteria (Fresh Empanelment 2026-27)
Multi-Specialty Hospitals
- • Minimum 50 beds in Tier I cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune)
- • Minimum 30 beds in Tier II/III cities
- • Fully operational for at least 6 months prior to application
- • NABH pre-accreditation entry level or full NABH mandatory for >100 beds
Super-Specialty Hospitals
- • Minimum 200 beds
- • Full NABH accreditation mandatory (no relaxation)
- • At least 3 distinct super-specialty departments (Cardiology, Neurology, Oncology, etc.)
Source: CGHS Fresh Empanelment Guidelines O.M. dated June 10, 2026
Empanelment Process (HEM 2.0 – 2026)
HFR/HPR Registration (Mandatory)
Register on Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission's Health Facility Registry (HFR) and obtain HPR ID. This is a prerequisite for HEM 2.0 login.
Online Application on HEM 2.0
Submit fresh application through HEM 2.0 portal (hem.nha.gov.in) with all required documents – no offline mode accepted.
QCI-NABH Assessment
Quality Council of India & NABH assessors conduct physical inspection of infrastructure, clinical processes, patient safety, and document verification.
Issue of LoI & Signing of MoA
After assessment, selected HCOs receive Letter of Intent (LoI) and must sign Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) within 45 days of issue.
Integration with TMS 2.0 & Go-Live
Post-MoA, hospital is onboarded on Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0) for claim submission, pre-authorization, and beneficiary management.
Average processing time from application submission to empanelment letter is 4-6 months. Assessment fees to be paid directly to NABH-QCI.
Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) – 2026 Rates
- • Multi-specialty (Tier I cities): ₹20 Lakhs
- • Multi-specialty (Tier II/III): ₹15 Lakhs
- • Super-specialty (any city): ₹25 Lakhs
- • Diagnostic/Imaging centres: ₹10 Lakhs
- • ABDM M3 compliant HCOs: 20% reduction in PBG
Source: CGHS OM No. S-11045/36/2026-CGHS(P) dated 10.06.2026
Empanelment & Renewal Fees (non-refundable)
- • Diagnostic Centres: ₹30,000 + GST
- • Hospitals <100 beds: ₹40,000 + GST
- • Hospitals ≥100 beds: ₹50,000 + GST
- • Late renewal fee (if window missed): ₹10,000 additional
- • Payment via Bharatkosh portal only
Source: NABH-QCI Fee Schedule 2026-27
Recent Updates (2026)
- • June 10, 2026: CGHS releases official notification for fresh empanelment 2026-27. Application window: July 1 – September 30, 2026.
- • May 15, 2026: Revised CGHS package rates implemented – average increase of 12% across 1,500+ procedures. New rates available on CGHS portal.
- • April 30, 2026: Previous MoA signing deadline passed. HCOs that missed deadline are now de-empanelled and must apply as fresh applicants.
- • March 2026: TMS 2.0 upgraded with AI-based claim scrutiny and faster processing – claims now settled within 60 days of submission.
- • January 2026: CGHS mandates NABL accreditation for all diagnostic labs applying for empanelment – no exceptions.
⚠️ Strict Compliance & Penalties (2026)
Overcharging, refusal of emergency treatment, demanding advance payment from CGHS beneficiaries, or submitting false claims can lead to immediate de-empanelment, penalty up to 10x the overcharged amount, and blacklisting from all government schemes (PM-JAY, CS(MA), ECHS) for 5 years. Monthly compliance audits are now conducted via TMS 2.0 analytics.
Need CGHS Empanelment Assistance?
Our CGHS experts help you prepare documents, complete HEM 2.0 filing, coordinate NABH-QCI inspections, and get empanelled within the 2026-27 window.