Fixed Medical Allowance for Pensioners in 7th Pay Commission

It is a monthly payment made to government pensioners and family pensioners to cover their routine medical expenses. It is evident that Central Civil Pensioners and Family Pensioners need a regular medical allowance. Due to escalating medical prices, senior citizens are unable to pay the essential treatments and medications. This is especially true for senior pensioners who may not have access to alternative income sources. A fixed medical stipend would assist to reduce this financial stress and ensure that retirees are able to obtain the care they need. Furthermore, a set medical allowance would offer seniors better piece of mind. They would be able to focus on their health and well-being if they knew they had access to a dependable source of income for medical bills. This would be especially advantageous for people who are suffering from chronic illnesses or impairments.

Recently, the RSCWS (Railway Senior Citizens Welfare Society) sent a letter to the Secretary of Finance (Expenditure) requesting that the Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) for railroad seniors and family pensioners be increased from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 3000 per month.

In response to a parliamentary question, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions stated that the Fixed Medical Allowance has been enhanced from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000 per month as of July 2017.

The Central Government Civil Pensioners and Family Pensioners residing in areas not covered by the Central Government Health Scheme administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and its corresponding health schemes administered by other Ministries/Departments for their retired employees are entitled to a monthly Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) of Rs. 1,000.

The Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) of Rs.1000 per month is in place to support individuals’ non-hospitalization-related daily medical expenses. The allowance was initially set at Rs. 100 per month in 1997 and has been increased multiple times since then, with a rise to Rs. 300 per month in 2008 and an increase to Rs. 500 per month in 2014. The FMA was recently increased to Rs. 1,000 per month, effective as of 01.07.2017.