CGHS Lab Tests Without Repeat Endorsement: ICMR Issues Instructions to Dr Lal PathLabs and Other Empanelled Labs
CGHS Lab Tests Without Repeat Endorsement: ICMR Issues Instructions to Dr Lal PathLabs and Other Empanelled Labs
ICMR has asked CGHS-empanelled diagnostic centres to provide cashless laboratory testing without insisting on repeated dispensary endorsement, wherever the CGHS rules do not require it.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has issued an important communication to Dr Lal PathLabs Ltd. and other CGHS-empanelled diagnostic laboratories. It asks them to provide cashless laboratory testing facilities to eligible beneficiaries without insisting on repeated endorsement from CGHS dispensaries, wherever such endorsement is not required under the applicable CGHS guidelines.
The communication aims to address difficulties faced by serving ICMR employees, pensioners and their eligible dependent family members in accessing prescribed laboratory investigations. As per the letter dated 23 October 2026, ICMR has requested the laboratories to follow the existing CGHS provisions so that beneficiaries are not unnecessarily required to visit CGHS dispensaries again and again. This is particularly relevant for central government employees and pensioners who depend on CGHS for routine diagnostic and follow-up tests.
- Details of the ICMR communication
- What has ICMR requested?
- CGHS rule: follow-up tests without repeated endorsement
- Investigations that still require referral or approval
- Benefits for employees and pensioners
- Which diagnostic centres are covered?
- Important points beneficiaries should remember
- Does this apply to all Central Government employees?
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Details of the ICMR Office Communication
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Department | Department of Health Research |
| Letter Number | 16/16/2026-Admin./E.290475 |
| Date of Issue | 23 October 2026 |
| Digital Signature Date | 24 October 2026 |
| Addressed To | Dr Lal PathLabs Ltd. and other CGHS-empanelled diagnostic laboratories |
| Subject | Cashless laboratory testing without repeated CGHS dispensary endorsement |
| Beneficiaries | ICMR serving employees, pensioners and eligible dependent family members |
2. What Has ICMR Requested?
ICMR has highlighted that its serving employees, pensioners and eligible dependent family members have been facing difficulties in obtaining repeated endorsements from CGHS dispensaries for laboratory investigations prescribed by doctors. In many cases, beneficiaries are asked to visit the CGHS dispensary again merely to get endorsement, even when the applicable CGHS guidelines do not require fresh endorsement.
To address this, ICMR has asked Dr Lal PathLabs and other CGHS-empanelled diagnostic centres to provide cashless testing in accordance with the existing CGHS rules. The laboratories have been asked to:
- Provide cashless diagnostic testing to eligible ICMR beneficiaries as per applicable CGHS provisions.
- Avoid insisting on repeated CGHS endorsement where the rules specifically exempt beneficiaries from fresh endorsement.
- Ensure that beneficiaries are not unnecessarily required to visit CGHS dispensaries.
- Follow the prescribed referral and approval procedures wherever fresh referral or endorsement is mandatory.
3. CGHS Rule: Laboratory Investigations Without Repeated Endorsement
An important part of the ICMR communication is its reference to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's Office Memorandum:
OM No. Z15025/19/2024/DIR/CGHS/EHS (Computer No. 8281286), dated 28.06.2024
As mentioned in paragraph B(ii) of this OM, certain follow-up laboratory investigations and minor procedures prescribed by specialists of CGHS-empanelled private hospitals can be undertaken without obtaining repeated endorsement from the CGHS dispensary. The provision applies after the beneficiary has obtained the initial referral from CGHS and is subject to the prescribed conditions.
A. Routine Follow-up Tests
After the initial CGHS referral, prescribed routine follow-up laboratory investigations can be done at a CGHS-empanelled private hospital or diagnostic centre without repeated endorsement during the validity period. This applies to investigations prescribed by specialists of CGHS-empanelled private hospitals.
B. Three-Month Validity
Repeat endorsement is not required for eligible regular follow-up laboratory investigations and minor procedures during three months from the date of the initial referral, subject to CGHS conditions.
C. Minor Procedures
Certain minor procedures that do not require hospital admission are also covered, subject to the applicable CGHS conditions.
Therefore, eligible beneficiaries need not unnecessarily approach CGHS dispensaries for repeated endorsements for investigations and procedures covered under this provision.
4. Which Investigations Still Require Referral or Approval?
The relaxation does not apply to every diagnostic investigation. ICMR has specifically clarified that certain investigations continue to require referral or approval as per applicable CGHS rules:
| Investigation | Requirement |
|---|---|
| CT Scan | Referral/approval as per CGHS rules |
| MRI Scan | Referral/approval as per CGHS rules |
| PET Scan | Referral/approval as per CGHS rules |
| Other investigations costing more than ₹3,000 | Referral/approval as per applicable CGHS rules |
Please note: Beneficiaries should not assume that every laboratory or diagnostic test can be done without endorsement. CGHS referral and approval requirements must be followed, particularly for high-cost investigations and advanced imaging.
5. Benefits for ICMR Serving Employees and Pensioners
The communication is expected to reduce unnecessary procedural difficulties for eligible ICMR beneficiaries. The major benefits are:
- Fewer visits to CGHS dispensaries: No repeated visits for endorsement where the rules do not require fresh endorsement.
- Easier access to diagnostics: Prescribed follow-up laboratory investigations can be accessed more conveniently at empanelled centres.
- Cashless testing: Empanelled laboratories are requested to provide cashless testing as per applicable CGHS provisions.
- Relief for pensioners: Retired employees and elderly pensioners may benefit most from fewer dispensary visits for routine follow-up tests.
- Convenience for dependent family members: Eligible dependents of ICMR employees and pensioners are also covered.
- Better implementation of existing rules: Beneficiaries receive the facilities already available under CGHS guidelines without unnecessary hurdles.
6. Which Diagnostic Centres Are Covered?
The communication has been addressed to Dr Lal PathLabs Ltd. and other diagnostic laboratories empanelled under CGHS. ICMR has requested the laboratories to issue necessary instructions to their respective branches and collection centres to ensure compliance, so that eligible beneficiaries get cashless testing without unnecessary difficulty.
7. Important Points Beneficiaries Should Remember
Before visiting a diagnostic centre, keep these points in mind:
- Obtain the initial referral from CGHS wherever required.
- Check whether the prescribed investigation is a routine follow-up test covered by the three-month relaxation.
- Ensure the investigation has been prescribed by an authorised specialist.
- Carry your CGHS card and the necessary medical documents.
- For CT Scan, MRI Scan, PET Scan and other investigations costing more than ₹3,000, follow the applicable CGHS referral and approval procedure.
- Confirm cashless eligibility with the concerned empanelled diagnostic centre.
The relaxation is subject to the conditions of the relevant CGHS Office Memorandum and should not be treated as a blanket exemption from referral requirements.
8. Does This Instruction Apply to All Central Government Employees and Pensioners?
The ICMR communication specifically concerns serving ICMR employees, pensioners and their eligible dependent family members. However, the letter refers to the broader CGHS policy framework in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's Office Memorandum dated 28 June 2024. Accordingly, the underlying CGHS provision on eligible follow-up investigations is relevant to beneficiaries covered by the applicable CGHS guidelines.
Other central government employees and pensioners should refer to the original CGHS Office Memorandum and applicable instructions to determine their eligibility.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What has ICMR asked Dr Lal PathLabs and other CGHS labs to do?
ICMR has asked them to provide cashless laboratory testing to eligible beneficiaries as per CGHS provisions, without insisting on repeated CGHS dispensary endorsement where the rules do not require it.
Q2. What is the date and number of the ICMR letter?
The letter is numbered 16/16/2026-Admin./E.290475 and is dated 23 October 2026.
Q3. Is repeat endorsement required for follow-up laboratory tests?
As per the CGHS OM dated 28.06.2024, repeat endorsement is not required for eligible regular follow-up laboratory investigations and minor procedures during three months from the date of the initial referral, subject to the prescribed conditions.
Q4. Which tests still need CGHS referral or approval?
CT Scan, MRI Scan, PET Scan and other investigations costing more than ₹3,000 continue to require referral or approval as per applicable CGHS rules.
Q5. Who prescribes the tests that qualify for this relaxation?
The provision applies to follow-up investigations and minor procedures prescribed by specialists of CGHS-empanelled private hospitals, after the beneficiary has obtained the initial referral from CGHS.
Q6. Does this letter apply to all Central Government employees and pensioners?
The letter specifically concerns ICMR serving employees, pensioners and eligible dependents. Others should refer to the original CGHS OM dated 28.06.2024 and applicable instructions to check their eligibility.
Conclusion
The ICMR communication dated 23 October 2026 is an important step towards simplifying cashless diagnostic access for serving employees, pensioners and eligible family members. By directing Dr Lal PathLabs and other CGHS-empanelled laboratories to follow the existing CGHS provisions, ICMR seeks to end unnecessary repeat visits to CGHS dispensaries for tests already covered by the relaxation.
The key takeaway: eligible routine follow-up laboratory investigations and certain minor procedures can be done without repeated CGHS endorsement during the three-month validity period, subject to the applicable conditions. CT Scan, MRI Scan, PET Scan and other investigations costing more than ₹3,000 remain subject to CGHS referral and approval requirements.
Source: ICMR letter No. 16/16/2026-Admin./E.290475 dated 23 October 2026; CGHS OM No. Z15025/19/2024/DIR/CGHS/EHS dated 28.06.2024.
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