Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme – ECHS
PREFACE
1. Ex Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), a tri-services project, launched on 01 Apr 03 vide Govt of India letter No. 22(1)/01/US (WE)/D (Res) dated 30 Dec 02. This Tri-services project is functioning under the ECHS with its central office located at Maudelines, Delhi Gantt- 10 and 13 Regional Centres located at various major cities. ECHS caters for medicare of all Armed Forces Veterans, who are in receipt of pension of any kind i.e., normal, disability, invalid, pro-rata, ordinary family pension & special family pension/liberalised family pension. This would also include wife/husband, legitimate children and wholly dependent parents.
2. Phase I of the Scheme (due for completion on 31 Mar 08) has been implemented successfully with a network of 227 Polyclinics (121 Non-Military Polyclinics and 106 Military Polyclinics) and 1002 empanelled hospitals all over the country. Phase II of the Scheme would start from 01 Apr 08. Establishment of 196 additional Polyclinics to cater for medicare of Veterans staying in rural/remote areas, upgradation of certain existing Polyclinics and review of certain policies and procedures for better implementation of the Scheme would be thrust areas for the Phase II.
3. Every service personal retiring after 01 Apr 03 compulsorily becomes member of ECHS by contributing his/her share. Similarly, all those who retired prior to 01 Apr 03 are required to become members. Veterans not joining the scheme and drawing medical allowance in lieu, would not be entitled to any medical facility from Armed Forces Clinics/hospitals or Polyclinics beyond 31 Mar 08. Armed Forces pensioners retired prior to 01 Jan 96, War disabled pensioners, War widows and Parents, ie, “mother & father” of unmarried deceased soldiers who are in receipt of Liberalised Family Pension are exempted from paying the mandatory one time contribution for ECHS membership. There is no restriction on age or medical condition.
4. In this handbook an effort has been made to incorporate all policies which have been issued by ECHS from time to time and make it a comprehensive document. I hope that this Handbook will serve the intended purpose and will be of great use to all serving personnel as well as retired veterans.
New Delhi
Feb 08
(LK Vig)
Gp Capt
D P S
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