CGHS Physiotherapy Rates: Per-Session Charges for SWD, IFT, Traction and Exercise

Physiotherapy under CGHS is billed per session per modality, at modest notified rates. Knowing them helps you check bills at empanelled physiotherapy centres.

The Office Memorandum effective 13 October 2025 consolidated the old modality-by-modality list into a shorter set of codes: most treatments are Rs 255 per session at a non-NABH centre and Rs 300 at a NABH centre.

CGHS Physiotherapy Rates Per Session (effective 13 October 2025)

Physiotherapy is billed per session per modality and carries no separate super-speciality rate. The OM sets the non-NABH rate 15% below the NABH rate for the same code.

• Ultrasonic therapy / shortwave diathermy / microwave / long-wave diathermy / infrared / IFT, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 255
• Ultrasonic therapy / shortwave diathermy / microwave / long-wave diathermy / infrared / IFT, per session, NABH — Rs 300
• Electrical muscle stimulation / cryotherapy / TENS, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 340
• Electrical muscle stimulation / cryotherapy / TENS, per session, NABH — Rs 400
• Cervical traction, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 255
• Cervical traction, per session, NABH — Rs 300
• Lumbar traction, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 255
• Lumbar traction, per session, NABH — Rs 300
• Hot pack / cold pack / wax bath / moist heat, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 255
• Hot pack / cold pack / wax bath / moist heat, per session, NABH — Rs 300
• Shock wave therapy / matrix rhythm therapy / laser / PEMF, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 340
• Shock wave therapy / matrix rhythm therapy / laser / PEMF, per session, NABH — Rs 400

Exercise, Gait and Rehabilitation Sessions

• Therapeutic, post-natal or pre-natal exercises / orthopaedic rehabilitation after joint replacement or surgery / hand rehabilitation, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 255
• Therapeutic, post-natal or pre-natal exercises / orthopaedic rehabilitation after joint replacement or surgery / hand rehabilitation, per session, NABH — Rs 300
• Chest physiotherapy, breathing exercises and postural drainage / post-Covid, pulmonary or cardiac rehabilitation, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 255
• Chest physiotherapy, breathing exercises and postural drainage / post-Covid, pulmonary or cardiac rehabilitation, per session, NABH — Rs 300
• Gait assessment, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 510
• Gait assessment, per session, NABH — Rs 600
• Gait training, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 255
• Gait training, per session, NABH — Rs 300
• Tilt training / basic neuro-rehabilitation, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 255
• Tilt training / basic neuro-rehabilitation, per session, NABH — Rs 300
• Advanced neuro-rehabilitation, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 680
• Advanced neuro-rehabilitation, per session, NABH — Rs 800
• Paediatric rehabilitation, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 255
• Paediatric rehabilitation, per session, NABH — Rs 300

Speech, Occupational and Behavioural Therapy

• Speech therapy, per session of at least 40 minutes, Non-NABH — Rs 340
• Speech therapy, per session of at least 40 minutes, NABH — Rs 400
• Occupational therapy, per session of at least 40 minutes, Non-NABH — Rs 340
• Occupational therapy, per session of at least 40 minutes, NABH — Rs 400
• Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) based behaviour therapy, per session of at least 40 minutes, Non-NABH — Rs 340
• Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) based behaviour therapy, per session of at least 40 minutes, NABH — Rs 400
• Special education, per session of at least 40 minutes, Non-NABH — Rs 340
• Special education, per session of at least 40 minutes, NABH — Rs 400
• Biofeedback, per session, Non-NABH — Rs 2,550
• Biofeedback, per session, NABH — Rs 3,000

Rates shown are as per the CGHS approved package rates (Office Memorandum F.No.5-16/CGHS(HQ)/HEC/2024(PartI) dated 03.10.2025, effective 2025-10-13) (2025 (effective 13.10.2025)) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How CGHS Package Rates Work

A CGHS "package rate" is an all-inclusive amount covering admission, surgeon and anaesthetist charges, operation theatre, nursing, routine investigations, medicines and accommodation for the standard length of stay.

Under the Office Memorandum effective 13 October 2025, a non-NABH hospital is paid 15% below the NABH rate, and for the specialities the memorandum names, a super-speciality hospital is paid 15% above the NABH rate.

The published rate is the semi-private ward figure: a general-ward entitlement is 5% lower and a private-ward entitlement 5% higher. Hospitals in Tier II cities are paid 10% less and in Tier III cities 20% less than in Tier I, with the North-East and the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at Tier II rates.

Referral and Prior Permission

For planned (non-emergency) procedures, a CGHS beneficiary needs a referral from the CGHS wellness centre and prior permission from the competent authority. Emergency treatment at an empanelled hospital is reimbursed up to CGHS rates without prior permission.

• Carry a valid CGHS card and follow your ward entitlement (based on pay/pension)
• Use an empanelled hospital for cashless treatment up to CGHS rates
• Obtain prior permission and referral for planned surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

How many physiotherapy sessions does CGHS allow?

Sessions are sanctioned as per the treating specialist’s advice and the permission granted; each modality is billed per session at the notified rate, most of them Rs 255 at a non-NABH centre and Rs 300 at a NABH centre.

Can more than one modality be billed in a single visit?

The schedule effective 13 October 2025 groups ultrasonic therapy, shortwave diathermy, microwave, long-wave diathermy, infrared and IFT into a single code at Rs 255 per session (non-NABH), so those are one line rather than several. Distinct modalities such as traction, wax bath, TENS or gait training have their own codes and are billed separately as sanctioned.

Related

• CGHS rate list for common procedures
• CGHS room rent and consultation charges

Medical Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.