ECHS : Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme Smart Card Application

Name of the Organization : Central Organisation ECHS (echs.gov.in)
Type of Facility : Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme Smart Card Application
Location : Delhi

Website : http://echs.gov.in/

Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme :
ECHS was authorised by Government of India on 30 Dec 2002, and has been introduced from 01 April 2003. It is a publicly funded medicare scheme for those who are ex-servicemen and pensioners & their eligible dependants, and will provide medical care through out-patient treatment at 227 Polyclinics all over India, and in-patient hospitalization & treatment through Military Hospitals and out-sourced Civil Hospitals & Diagnostic Centers at all these 227 locations, which will be empanelled for the purpose. Treatment/hospitalization in Service Hospitals will be available to ECHS members, subject to availability of speciality, medical staff and bed space.

Eligibilty :
This medical facility is for Ex-servicemen only, who have served in Army/Navy/Air force/Indian Coast Guard/Special Frontier Force.

The Scheme caters for medical care to all ESM pensioners including disability and family pensioners and their dependents, which includes wife/husband, legitimate children and wholly dependent parents. To be eligible for membership of ECHS a person must meet following two conditions (Auth Central Org ECHS letter No B/49701-PR/AG/ECHS dt 01 Jun 2006)
(a) Should have ESM Status.
(b) Should be drawing normal Service /Disability/ Family Pension..

Benefits :
ECHS provides cashless medical coverage for the Ex-servicemen and their dependants in the established polyclinic/military hospitals/empanelled hospitals across India.

Application Form :
Forms are available at all Station Headquarters, CSDs and at Rajya Sainik Board offices. For those having access to the internet form can also be downloaded from website ‘echs.gov.in/downloads.html’,‘indianarmy.nic.in/arechs.htm’ or “irfc-nausena.mil.in”..

Download Here : https://echs.gov.in/

Know More About ECHS :
When does my medical cover start- From the date of application or receipt of Smart Card? :
ECHS facilitates medical cover right from the day of submission of application form by showing the Receipt. Receipt of application form can be used for temporarily period till the Ex-Servicemen received the smart card. For all retirees who have retired before 01 April’2003 and have not yet taken membership their service particulars/record will be scrutinized and verified by their respective record offices. Temporary card receipt in respect of these individual will be given only after the authenticated record is received from record office. This process may take 2-3 months from the date of fulfilling formalities.

I am serving in the army, I will retire next year. Can I apply for ECHS membership in advance? :
Yes, you can apply at the time of your release from service. Please fill the documentation required for smart card along with your release documentation from service. Please contact your Unit/Record Office for details. In case of officers please contact MP 5 & 6, Ph. 26106329, 26195662.

I want to enroll my wife for the scheme. How should I proceed? :
Collect and submit the application form nearby polyclinic along with the copy of PPO/MRO, 2 photographs, affidavit and DD of 135/- in favor of dependant Regional Centre. Spouse has no income limit and will be given membership irrespective of income criteria.

Are my family members covered in the scheme? :
ECHS cover ex-servicemen along with his/her dependent family member.

How can I enroll my dependents for ECHS? :
Collect and submit the application form nearby polyclinic along with the copy of PPO/MRO, 2 photographs, affidavit and DD of 135/- per person. The income of each dependant should be less than Rs.3500/- + 52% DA (which is Total 5235/-).

I have declared my parents as dependants will they receive ECHS benefits for life time? :
Yes, parents are entitled for lifetime ECHS service but their dependency should be proved in PPO and the income should be less than Rs.3500/- + 52% DA (which is Total 5235/-).

In case of death of ECHS pensioner, will the parents be entitled to ECHS benefits? :
Yes, the parents are entitled to the ECHS membership provided they are dependants of the ESM and the names are included in the Discharge Book of ECHS Member and the income should be less than Rs.3500/- + 52% DA (which is Total 5235/-).

I am a short service commissioned officer injured in battle, am I entitled to be an ECHS member? :
No, short service commissioned officers are not entitled to be an ECHS member, unless you are a battle casualty and drawing disability pension.

I have lost my card, what should I do? :
Visit Station head quarter/polyclinic. Collect and submit application form along with documents which includes affidavit of loss of card and DD of 135/- in favor of dependent Regional Center.

Note :
FIR is NOT required to be lodged .

My card is damaged, What should I do? :
Visit Station head quarter/polyclinic. Collect and submit application form along with DD of 135/- in favor of dependant Regional Center. Submit your damaged card when you receive the duplicate card.

What is the cost of the new 32KB ECHS smart card? :
Each ECHS smart card cost 135/-.

How many ECHS cards will be issued for a family? :
ECHS smart card will be issued one for each dependant, mentioned in the Discharge Book, provided the dependant meets eligibility conditions as per rules.

Helpdesk : 1800-114-115 available Monday to Friday from 0900h to 1700h