New Delhi, April 1 -- The number of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries has surged by 39 per cent from 34.2 lakh in 2019-20 to 47.6 lakh in 2023-24, according to latest health Ministry data. Meanwhile, reimbursements to empanelled private hospitals under CGHS has increased from 24 per cent in 2019-20 to nearly 60 per cent in 2023-24.

The CGHS in December last year issued an advisory to empanelled hospitals, saying that it had come to the directorate's attention that some healthcare organisations were "engaging in fraudulent activities when submitting bills" and that it had received complaints from beneficiaries about "overcharging, denial of treatment and other grievances".

Between 2019-20 and 2023-24, the total spend...