ECHS

INSIDE 

Scheme 

Present Status/Areas of Concern

Expansion Network

ECHS correspondence / Simplified application form hosted on internet www.indianarmy.nic.in / may be downloaded.

For queries  please contact

Director ECHS(Navy)
IHQ of MOD(Navy)
6^Th Floor Chanakya Bhawan
Chanakya Puri
New Delhi - 110 021

Click Here to Download ECHS Updates for Navy

Message from the Chief of the Naval Staff

Amongst all the schemes aimed at the welfare of our Veteran's community, the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) is emphatically paramount, both in respect of the primacy of attention accorded towards this initiative and its particular relevance.

Since the inception of this scheme in Apr 03, significant progress has been made towards enhancing its reach and subscription. Till date, we have inaugurated 227 polyclinics and empanelled 1002 hospitals, nursing homes, dental clinics and diagnostic centres across the country. Recognising the need for further expansion, the Chiefs of Staff Committee has also sought approval of Ministry of Defence for setting up additional 196 polyclinics and 14 Regional Centres. Another initiative is the augmentation of facilities at certain Military Hospitals to facilitate super specialty medical care for out veterans.

Ensuring comprehensive subscription towards the ECHS is an area of our continued efforts. This is particularly in respect of those pensioners who retired prior to 01 Apr 03 and have not yet applied for membership. It is imperative that they join the scheme at the earliest as they will not be entitled for any Medicare or re-imbursements after 31 Mar 08.

I would also take this occasion to encourage all personnel involved with the execution of the ECHS to rededicate themselves to their onerous responsibilities and wish our retired fraternity good health and comfort in the years ahead.

The Scheme.

1. Government sanctioned the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) on 30 Dec 2002 and formally launched on 01 Apr 2003, to be established over a time span of five years(i.e.) by 31 Mar 2008. The scheme would cater for medicare of all Ex-Servicemen in receipt of pension including disability pension and family pension, as also dependents to include wife/husband, legitimate children and wholly dependent parents.

2. The Scheme would cater for medicare to the Ex-Servicemen by establishing new Polyclinics and Augmented Armed Forces Clinics at 227 stations spread across the country. 106 Augmented Armed Forces Clinics at Military Stations and 121 New Armed Forces Polyclinics at Non Military Station to be established.

3. Financial Outlay. Government accorded sanction for Capital Budget 122 Crores as one time sanction and Revenue Budget 354.50 Crores Per annum.

4. Man Power At Central Organisation, Regional Centres and Station Headquarters. Man Power at Central Organisation, Regional Centres and Station Headquarters will be met from within existing resources of Service Headquarters. 61 Officers and 249 PBORs sanctioned for Central Organisation and Regional Centers. In addition 122 Station Headquarters have been provided Manpower from the existing resources of Service Headquarters.

5. Infrastructure and Manpower at Polyclinics. Infrastructure and Manpower at polyclinics is based on type of polyclinics (type A/B/C/D and Mil/Non Mil). Recruitment of the manpower for the proposed Polyclinics would be done on contractual basis. Following Equipments and Manpower has been provided at Polyclinics:-

(a) Medical Equipments. X-Ray machine, Ultrasound, Lab Auto Analyzer, Dental Equipments (including Chair), Physio therapy (Standard Set), ECG Maghine, Monitor Defibrillator and other small Equipments and Laboratory equipments.

(b) Other Equipments. Generator, Air Conditioners, Ambulances and Light Vehicles.

(c) Medical Facilities and Manpower. Medical Officers, Medical Specialists, Gynecologist, Dental Officers, Officer-in-Charge, Nursing Assistant/Nurse, Lab Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Receptionist/Care taker, Driver, Peon, Safaiwala and Female Attendant.

6. Referral Procedure. Polyclinic Military Hospital Empanelled Private Hospital. In emergency for life saving grounds any Hospital, Bills to be paid by Member, Reimbursement approved only by MDECHS, Emergency clause will be examined.

7. After 31 Mar 08. Ex-servicemen pensioners who are not ECHS Members will not be entitled to any medicare in Polyclinics and Private Empanelled Hospitals, in addition No reimbursement will be considered by KSB and INBA due to paucity of funds.

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Present Status.

01. Polyclinics. All 227 Polyclinics established and all are operational. 09 Polyclinics are managed by the Navy out of 227 Polyclinics, (i.e.) Mumbai, Powai, Karwar, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Berhampur and Port Blair. 60 out of 227 polyclinics are functioning from the newly constructed buildings.

02. Membership. 5. 5 Lacs ESM pensioners have already joined the scheme out of 20 Lakhs ESM Pensioners eligible.

03. Empanelment of Private Hospitals. 1002 Private Hospitals/Nursing Homes/Diagnostics Centres/Dental Clinics/Laboratories has been empanelled with ECHS TILL DATE. In Delhi and NCR 67 Private Hospitals have been empanelled.

04. Smart Cards. Imperative for medicare. It normally takes two months to obtain Smart Cards on submission of application. In interim the receipt issued on submission of application by Station Headquarters/Director ECHS(Navy) is valid for two months till receipt of Smart Cards for availing entitled medicare.

05. Supreme Court Judgment. Supreme Court has given judgment regarding exemption of ECHS Contribution for Pre-1996 Retirees. Armed Forces Veterans who are drawing pension form Controller of Defence Accounts and who have retired before 01 Jan 1996 are exempted from payment of contribution under Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme. However, they have to apply for membership on the prescribed application form attaching all relevant documents except the MRO. The issue of refund of contribution to those Pre- 01 Jan 96 Retirees, who have become ECHS members, is sub-judice and action will be taken as per the ruling given by the Govt.

06. Medical Treatment to ex-servicemen who have not joined ECHS. The ECHS has been operational wef. 01 Apr 2003. The Ex-servicemen who have retired prior to 01 Apr 2003 have the option of joining the scheme and thereby avail the medical benefits. Despite having issued clear instructions on the subject in the past, there seems to be doubt regarding the status of ESM who have not joined the ECHS. It is intimated that the AFV who have not joined the ECHS will continue to be treated in service hospitals subject to availability of beds and facilities. AFV are not entitled to transfer/referral from one service hospital to another.

07. No Reimbursement. No reimbursement applicable directly to ECHS members except for non empanelled private hospital bills on lifesaving grounds. Reimbursement approved only by MDECHS. KSB/INBA is not considering reimbursement to ex-servicemen pensioners for serious diseases as hitherto due to paucity of funds. Es-servicemen pensioners advised to join ECHS earliest. AFV to forward medical reimbursement cases to Kendriya Sainik Board directly through ZSB/RSB and not to NHQ/DGMS(N)/PDNPF/PDESA as KSB will not reimburse claims submitted directly from NHQ. Non pensioners ex-servicemen and families, will continue to be provided with financial support for medical treatment by KSB through Armed Forces Flag Day Funds for serious ailments. Financial assistance up to 90% for sailors and 75% for Officers provided by KSB and balance reimbursement considered by Secy INBA/PDNPF.

08. Ex-Servicemen Non Pensioners. Not entitled for any medicare in ECHS/Military Hospitals.

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ECHS EXPANSION NETWORK

1. ECHS Expansion Network duly approved by the COSC on 10 Sep 07, has been submitted to Government for according approval. The number of personnel who are availing of medical facilities under ECHS is expanding exponentially. Almost 90% of the beneficiaries are treated in polyclinics.

2. Subsequent to the directions of Hon'ble PM during the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) meeting held on 19 May 07, wherein it had been directed to set up more polyclinics and provide improved access to ECHS for veterans and their families.

3. Financial Implications.
 

4. COSC approved the following:-

(a) Establishment of 181 new polyclinics
(b) Authorisation of 15 military med facilities in remote area.
(c) Conversion of 10 mil type polyclinics to non mil type.
(d) Upgradation of 12 Polyclinics.
(e) Establishment of 14 addl Regional Centres.
(f) Employment of addl 77 Offrs and 336 PBOR (on accretion) and 2372 Contractual employees.
(g) Expenditure of additional Rs. 130.01 Crores for infrastructure and Rs. 44.39 Crore for Annual Running Cost.

5. Activities / Issues being currently progressed:-

(a) Aggressive approach to ECHS membership
(b) Increase Private Empanelled Hospitals to cover all Stations/Districts.
(c) Augmentation study of Military Hospitals under consideration especially for super specialty medicare (viz.) Cardiology/Oncology/Nephrology including Dialysis/Orthopedics/Rheumatology to reduce Private Hospitals empanelled bills.
 

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