INSTRUCTIONS FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

• General  
  The implementation of a scheme of this magnitude has involved meticulous planning and deliberations and it has come about finally with the Government acceding to the long standing demand of the Armed Forces. Comprehensive Medicare was an absolute must for our pensioners, widows and their Next of Kin, the scheme has come into effect on 01 Apr 2003 and the Govt has given five years for its complete implementation i.e till 31 Mar 2008 .  
   

• With the advent of this Scheme , Ex-Servicemen  pensioners who were only entitled for treatment in Service Hospitals are now authorised treatment, not only in Service Hospitals but also in those civil/private hospitals which are specifically empanelled with the ECHS.  
   

• ECHS is a medical care scheme covering all the diseases. It is providing benefit to the complete spectrum of ESM pensioners settled in far-flung areas of the country through a network of 227 polyclinics (106 in Mil stations and 121 in Non Military Stations) and 306 Civil hospitals which have been empanelled so far with the ECHS.  
   

• The present population of ESM pensioners in the region of 17 lakhs with an annual increment of 70,000. All ESM pensioners who have retired before 01 Apr 03 have an option to become a member of the Scheme and the last date for exercising this option is 31 Mar 2008 . The ESM pensioners who have retired /retiring post 01 Apr 03 are compulsory members of the Scheme.  
   

• Eligibility  
   
  • Twin Conditions apply.  
     
    • The prospective member must be an ex-servicemen /widow/ dependent of ESM.
       
    • The prospective member must be in receipt of pension/family  pension/disability pension paid from under the head of the Defence Services Estimate  
  • The above simultaneous conditions automatically exclude categories of Ex-servicemen Who are not earning pension from Defence Services Estimate.  
     
• How to Become an ECHS Member  
   

  • The ESM pensioners may approach nearest Station HQs/Record Office and collect the application form for enrolment into ECHS. The application form for enrolment into the ECHS. The application form can also be downloaded from the site   
    Please check the following:-

    • Simplified Application Form. - 4 Pages.  
    • General Instructions - 4 Pages.  
    • Receipt for Documents             - 1 Page.  
    • Sample of Affidavit - 1 Page
    • MRO Format - 1 Page  
    • DPDO/Bankers Certificate - 1 Page  
       

• The application forms has been Simplified and this has been done owing to the feed back form the environment which stated that earlier application forms were too long and difficult to comprehend and therefore all the earlier application forms have been superseded the detailed instructions for filling of the forms have been given in the General instructions.  
   

• ECHS Contribution The ESM pensioners will have to pay the ECHS Contribution through MRO. The details are in the General Instructions of the Application Form. The details are following are exempted from the ECHS Contribution:-
   

  • War Widows
  • NOK (Earning Family Liberalised Family Pensions) of the Diseased Soldiers
  • War Disabled Pensioners
     

• Membership identifications Smart Card The ECHS member will be issued with one primary card and up to two add on cards with a period of 60 days. The Smart card will need to be paid for by the member (Rs. 90/- per card).  
   

• Misuse of ECHS Membership  
   

  • Misuse of the membership of the ECHS either by the ESM pensioner or his /her dependents will result in the membership being immediately cancelled and payment made being forfeited.  
     

• Conclusion

  • Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme is one amongst many important initiatives taken by the Government and the Armed Forces to alleviate the socio-economic needs of retired pensioners of the three services. These essential steps are just a small compensation to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their youth and life in serving the nation.  
     

• The ECHS is a major venture and this Medicare concept is being attempted for the first time at an all India level. It is but natural that such a scheme would take some time to emerge on ground through newly constructed and equipped Polyclinics. There will be progressive build up of ECHS assets within a span of five years as per Government of India letter, i.e, by 31 Mar 2008 , which is also linked to the progressive release of funds by Ministry of Defence.  
   

• The ECHS is very forward looking and comprehensive medicare scheme, which will go a long way in providing medicare to the numerous ESM who retire each year. This scheme is definitely in the interest of EX-servicemen pensioners and, through the means of this Hand Book, it is hoped that the environment will seize the opportunity to enroll well before the cut off date.  
   

• After more than 50 years of independence, ESM have been rightfully given free medical facilities for them, their children and their parents, provided they become members of the Scheme. It is our endeavour to ensure that no ESM pensioner is denied this facility for any reason. We will also welcome suggestions of retired ESM. Where ever we can improve the scheme, subject to the validity or reasonability of the suggestion, we shall attempt to do so. Our motto remains: “POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO KEEP OUR MEMBERS HEALTHY AND FIT”.  
   

• In Case of any difficulty , one may contact:-  
   
  • Central Organisation 
    Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS)
    Adjutant’s General Branch
    Army Headquarters
    Maude Lines, Delhi Cantt – 110 010
    Tele : 25684846, 25684847, 25684946. 25684945