New Delhi: Beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) aged 80 and above will no more need to stand in a queue for consulting doctors at CGHS dispensaries.

Instead, CGHS doctors will enquire once in a month about the wellbeing of the patient over the phone or visit his home if it is located within five km of the CGHS centre.

It is one of the special provisions formulated for patients aged 80 and above under the scheme, according to an office memorandum issued to all CGHS wellness centres.

It also calls for settlement of medical claims out of turn on a priority basis.

The scheme was started under the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 1954 for providing comprehensive medical care facilities to central government employees, pensioners and their dependents residing in the CGHS-covered cities.