- CGHS and ECHS applications
- Online only, through NABH's ECE portal (ece.nabh.co)
- CGHS rates since 13 Oct 2025
- Non-NABH hospitals paid 15% below the NABH base rate
- AB-PMJAY quality incentive
- 5% Bronze, 10% Silver, 15% Gold on package rates
- Who can apply
- Hospitals, eye and dental centres, diagnostic labs and imaging centres (scheme-specific)
What we handle
- CGHS empanelmentCGHS empanelment via NABH's ECE portal: eligibility, 50/30 bed minimums, lab and imaging rules, NABH fees, the 2025 rate revision and how we help.
- ECHS empanelmentECHS empanelment through NABH: eligibility, IPHS staffing norms, OT guidelines, assessment fees, 2-year validity and renewal rules.
- PMJAY empanelment & quality certificationAyushman Bharat PM-JAY empanelment and the NABH-run quality certification: Bronze, Silver, Gold levels, 5–15% incentives, fees and upgrades.
- ESIC empanelmentESIC tie-up empanelment for private hospitals treating insured workers: how notices work, eligibility, documents, rates and compliance.
- RGHS empanelment (Rajasthan)RGHS empanelment for Rajasthan hospitals, labs and pharmacies: who runs it, documents, and the compliance lapses behind 2026 suspensions.
- TPA & insurance empanelmentJoin insurer and TPA cashless networks: ROHINI ID, IRDAI hospital criteria, GIPSA PPN for public sector insurers, documents and tariffs.
Why empanelment and accreditation go together
For most private hospitals the commercial case for NABH comes through empanelment. Two examples:
- CGHS revised its package rates for about 2,000 procedures with effect from 13 October 2025. NABH-accredited hospitals are paid the base rate; non-NABH hospitals receive 15% less; super-specialty hospitals above 200 beds receive 15% more.
- AB-PMJAY runs a quality certification with NABH. Bronze-certified hospitals earn a 5% incentive on packages, Silver (NABH entry-level certified) 10% and Gold (NABH or NQAS accredited) 15%.
So the order in which you pursue accreditation and empanelment matters. We plan both together.
How we handle empanelment
- Eligibility check against the scheme's current criteria — beds, specialties, staffing, in-house lab and imaging, location.
- Licence audit — schemes and NABH inspectors ask for the same statutory approvals; we fix gaps first.
- Documents and portal application — on NABH's ECE portal for CGHS and ECHS, the HEM portal for AB-PMJAY, and the relevant state or insurer portal for others.
- Inspection readiness — staff briefing, records, signage, infrastructure and a pre-inspection walk-through.
- Follow-up to approval, then rate and package set-up so claims flow.
Frequently asked questions
Who assesses hospitals for CGHS and ECHS empanelment?
NABH assesses applicants for both CGHS and ECHS under memoranda of understanding with those schemes. Applications are accepted only online through NABH's ECE portal; NABH conducts desktop and on-site inspections and its empanelment committee sends a recommendation to the scheme.
Is NABH accreditation required for empanelment?
It depends on the scheme. NABH's CGHS empanelment programme page does not list accreditation as a prerequisite, but accreditation changes your payment: under CGHS rates from 13 October 2025 non-NABH hospitals are paid 15% less. Under AB-PMJAY, NABH entry-level certification earns a 10% incentive and full accreditation 15%.
How long does hospital empanelment take?
Timelines depend on the scheme, inspection scheduling and how complete your documents are. Incomplete documentation and missing licences are the main causes of delay, so we close those gaps before you apply.
Official sources
Fees and rules change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply.
Get a free gap assessment for your facility
Tell us your facility type, bed or chair count and city. Dr. Ashutosh Sharma will tell you which NABH programme fits, what it will cost and how long it will realistically take — before you commit to anything.
Related
- Entry-level certification (hospitals)NABH Entry-Level Certification (2nd Edition) for allopathic hospitals: eligibility, occupancy norms, 2-year fees by beds and the PMJAY Silver incentive.
- Hospitals above 50 beds (6th Edition)NABH 6th Edition accreditation for hospitals above 50 beds: 10 chapters, 100 standards, 639 objective elements, scoring rules, NABH fees and timeline.
- CGHS Empanelment Through NABH: Eligibility, Fees, ECE Portal and 2025 RatesCGHS empanelment through NABH's ECE portal: who can apply, bed minimums, lab rules, NABH fees, inspections and the October 2025 rates.
- AB-PMJAY Quality Certification Explained: Bronze, Silver and GoldAB-PMJAY quality certification: Bronze, Silver and Gold eligibility, 5/10/15% incentives, NABH's role, fees, assessment, validity, upgrades.