New Delhi, May 18 -- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued a fresh clarification regarding dependent family members under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944. According to the recent office memorandum released on 13 May, male government employees can exercise only a one-time choice between including their parents or parents-in-law as dependents for CGHS medical treatment and associated benefits.

The Ministry clearly stated that this decision will be final and cannot be altered, amended, or changed later. This is because once a male employee opts to include either his parents or his parents-in-law under the CGHS coverage, the choice will become irreversib...