All about ECHS Scheme - Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme

ECHS: Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme is to provide allopathic medicare to Ex-servicemen pensioner and their dependents

ECHS Contribution Eligible For Income Tax Exemption Under Section 80D

About ECHS

Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme

1. Historical Background. Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) was launched with effect from 01 April 2003. The Scheme aims to provide allopathic medicare to Ex-servicemen pensioner and their dependents through a network of ECHS Polyclinics, Service medical facilities and civil empanelled/Govt hospitals spread across the country. The Scheme has been structured on the lines of CGHS to ensure cashless transactions, as far as possible, for the patients and is financed by the Govt of India.

2. ECHS is a flagship Scheme of the Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare. The aim of Scheme is to provide quality healthcare of Ex-servicemen pensioners and their dependents. As on 01 May 2015, a total of 15,21,563 Ex-servicemen have enlisted with the Scheme along with 32,02,610 dependents. Total beneficiaries of the Scheme, thus amount to 47,24,173.

3. Policy framework for the Scheme is laid down by the Govt and executive control is exercised by the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare. The Scheme is managed through the existing infrastructure of the Armed Forces so as to minimize the administrative expenditure. The existing infrastructure includes command and control structure, spare capacity of Service Medical facilities (Hospitals and Medical Inspection Rooms), procurement organization for medical and non-medical equipment, Defence land and buildings etc. Station Commanders assisted by Senior Executive Medical Officers (SEMO) exercise direct control over the ECHS Polyclinics.

4. The Central Organisation ECHS is located at Delhi and functions under the Chiefs of Staff Committee through the Adjutant General in the Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army). The Central Organisation is headed by a Managing Director, a serving Major General.

5. There are 28 Regional Centres sanctioned by the Govt, all 28 Regional Centres are functional. All efforts are being made to make the remainder Regional Centres functional at the earliest possible.

6. ECHS Polyclinics are designed to provide ‘Out Patient Care’ which includes consultation, essential investigation and provision of medicines. Specialised consultations, investigations and ‘In Patient Care’ (Hospitalization) is provided through spare capacity available in Service hospitals and through civil hospitals empanelled with ECHS.

7. Polyclinics are categorized as Type A to E, based on the number of Ex-servicemen residing in that area. They are:-

a. Type A – Above 20,000

b. Type B – Above 10,000

c. Type C – Above 5,000

d. Type D – Above 2,500

e. Type E (Mobile) – Less than 2500 (Armed Forces Polyclinics or augmented Armed Forces Clinic will be provided)

Expansion of ECHS Network

8. Expansion of ECHS network was approved by the Govt in Oct 2010 by sanctioning 182 additional polyclinics and 17 mobile clinics, making a total of 426 ECHS Polyclinics Out of 426 sanction polyclinics, 355 policlinics are operational as on 25 Jun 2013. The details are as under:-

		Initial	Additional	Total
(a)	Military Stations	106	06	112
(b)	Non Military Stations	121	176	297
(c)	Mobile Clinics	–	17	17
		227	199	426
Eligibility Criteria

9. Eligibility For ECHS Membership. The Scheme caters for medical care to all ESM pensioners including those earning Disability and Family Pension and their dependents, which includes wife/husband, dependent legitimate children and wholly dependent parents. To be eligible for membership of ECHS, a person must meet the following twin conditions:-

a. Should have ESM status.

b. Should be drawing normal Service /Disability/ Family Pension.

Scales of Contribution and Staff

10. Contribution for ECHS Membership. All ESM pensioners are required to make a one time contribution based on their corresponding scale of Grade Pay at the time of retirement as per rates mentioned below :-

Uncommutted Basic Pension + DP	Corresponding Scale of Grade Pay at the time of Retirement
Recruit to Havildar	Naib Subedar	Subedar to Major	Lt Col and above
Rs 15,000/-	Rs 27,000/-	Rs 39,000/-	Rs 60,000/-

11. Staff Authorised to Polyclinics. Contractual staff authorized to various types of ECHS Polyclinics is as under:-

S.No.	Trade	Type ‘A’	Type ‘B’	Type ‘C’	Type ‘D’	Type ‘E’
(a)	Medical Officer	06	03	02	02	01
(b)	Medical Specialist	02	02	01	–	–
(c)	Dental Officer	02	02	01	01	–
(d)	OIC (Non Medical)	01	01	01	01	–
(e)	Gynaecologist	01	01	–	–	–
(f)	Radiologist	01	01	–	–	–
(g)	Nursing Asst/Nurse	03	03	02	01	01
(h)	Pharmacist	01	01	01	01	–
(i)	Lab Asst	01	01	01	01	–
(j)	Dental Hygienist/Tech/Assistant	02	02	01	01	–
(k)	Driver	02	02	01	01	01
(l)	Peon	01	01	01	01	–
(m)	Safaiwala	01	01	01	01	–
(n)	Female Attendant	01	01	01	01	–
(o)	Chowkidar	01	01	01	01	–
(p)	Lab Tech	01	01	01	01	–
(q)	Radiographer	01	01	–	–	–
(r)	Physiotherapist	01	01	01	–	–
	Total	29	26	17	14	03

12. Plot Size and Plinth Area authorised to Polyclinics is as under :-

Present Auth		Recommended
Plot Size	Plinth Area	Plot Size	Plinth Area
(a) Type A -1200 sq yds	5000 sq ft	6400 sq yds	29062.8 sq ft
(b) Type B -1200 sq yds	4000 sq ft	4800 sq yds	21528 sq ft
(c) Type C – 700 sq yds	2500 sq ft	3500 sq yds	16146 sq ft
(d) Type D – 700 sq yds	2000 sq ft	2800 sq yds	12916.8 sq ft

13. Growth of ECHS Membership. Year wise enrolment of ECHS members and the corresponding increase in beneficiary base over the years is as under:-

S.No.	As on	Members	Beneficiaries	Increase/Decrease
(a)	31 Mar 2005	78,999	3,63,261
(b)	31 Mar 2006	2,60,876	9,82,654	(+)6,19,393
(c)	31 Mar 2007	4,24,823	15,07,412	(+)5,24,758
(d)	31 Mar 2008	6,33,596	21,02,891	(+)5,95,479
(e)	31 Mar 2009	9,51,763	30,21,920	(+)9,19,029
(f)	31 Mar 2010	10,64,225	33,67,410	(+)3,45,490
(g)	31 Mar 2011	11,58,559	36,59,263	(+)2,91,853
(h)	31 Mar 2012	12,41,700	39,73,432	(+)3,14,169
(j)	31 Mar 2013	13,33,984	43,03,846	(+)3,30,414
(k)	31 Mar 2014	14,22,669	46,12,543	(+)3,08,697
(l)	31 Mar 2015	15,08,370	46,86,036	(+)73,493
(m)	30 Apr 2015	15,21,563	47,24,173	(+)38.137

14. Enhancement in Remuneration of ECHS Contractual Employees.

After consistent efforts, the case to bring remuneration of contractual staff in ECHS polyclinics at par with their counterparts in other organizations such as CGHS/ESIC has borne fruit. Govt has accorded sanction to revise remuneration of the contractual staff in ECHS polyclinics with effect from 01 Apr 2013. The existing and revised pay scales are as under:-

S.No.	Category	Existing Remuneration	Revised Remuneration
(a)	Medical Officer	Rs. 46,000/-	Rs. 60,000/-
(b)	Specialist (Medical Specialist and Gynaecologist)	Rs. 55,000/-	Rs. 70,000/ for 1st year Rs. 80,000/- for 2nd year. –
(c)	Dental Officer	Rs. 46,000/-	Rs. 60,000/-
(d)	Officer in Charge Polyclinics	Rs. 46,000/-	Rs. 60,000/-
(e)	Radiographer	Rs. 15,000/-	Rs. 22,500/-
(f)	Laboratory Technician	Rs. 15,000/-	Rs. 22,500/-
(g)	Laboratory Assistant	Rs. 15,000/-	Rs. 22,500-
(h)	Physiotherapist	Rs. 15,000/-	Rs. 22,500-
(j)	Pharmacist	Rs. 15,000/-	Rs. 22,500-
(k)	Nursing Assistant	Rs. 15,000/-	Rs. 22,500/-
(l)	Dental Hygienist Dental Assistant Dental Technician	Rs. 15,000/-	Rs. 22,500/-
(m)	Driver	Rs. 10,500/-	Rs. 15,750/-
(n)	Chowkidar	Rs. 8,970/-	Rs. 13,455
(o)	Female Attendant	Rs. 8,970/-	Rs. 13,455/-
(p)	Peon	Rs. 8,970/-	Rs. 13,455/-
(q)	Safaiwala	Rs. 8,970/-	Rs. 13,455/-

15. Grievance Redressal Mechanism. All grievances received from veterans are being replied to, including information sought under RTI. Grievances are being addressed through e-mail via internet and through website pgportal.gov.in of DoESW. In addition to the above, an Arbitration Committee has also been formed at Central Org ECHS to address concerns of empanelled hospitals. Grievances if any may be addressed to the undermentioned functionaries:-

(a) Managing Director
Central Org, ECHS
Maude Lines
Delhi Cant
PIN – 110010
Tele-011-25684846 & Mob-8527794678

(b) Director (Complaints & Legal)
Central Org, ECHS
Maude Lines
Delhi Cant
PIN – 110010
Tele-011-25684946 & Mob-8130382888

16. ECHS Website.

All information regarding ECHS, including list of empanelled facilities, forms for membership and latest policies are available at www.echs.gov.in.

17. Revised Eligibility Criteria.

Govt sanction has been accorded for bringing ECHS beneficiaries at par with that of CGHS. Details are as under:-

S.No	Relationship	Criteria
(a)	Son	Till he starts earning or attains the age of 25 years, whichever is earlier.
(b)	Daughter	Till she starts earning or gets married, irrespective of the age limit, whichever is earlier.
(c)	Son or daughter suffering from any permanent disability of any kind (physical or mental)	Irrespective of age limit.
(d)	Dependent divorced/abandoned or separated from their husband/ widowed daughters and dependents unmarried/divorced/abandoned or separated from their husband/ widowed sisters	Irrespective of age limit.
(e)	Minor brothers(s) who are dependent on the veteran	Upto the age of becoming a major
(f)	Parents	Fully dependent