Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme

Overview

The 2023 handbook describes ECHS as a lifetime contributory medical scheme for eligible pension-receiving ex-servicemen, family pensioners, and qualifying dependants. It records outpatient treatment through ECHS facilities and reimbursement for services from empanelled providers. Contribution, dependency, referral, and treatment requirements must be checked against current official ECHS instructions.

What the handbook says

The source says ECHS covers ex-servicemen receiving pension, including disability pension, family pensioners, and qualifying dependants. It describes the scheme as compulsory and applicable for life after the retiring member's contribution (2023 handbook, printed p. 297; PDF p. 308).

The source records free outpatient treatment at ECHS polyclinics and augmented clinics, with reimbursement for services obtained from empanelled diagnostic centres, nursing homes, or hospitals (2023 handbook, printed p. 298; PDF p. 309).

What this means

ECHS membership does not by itself establish that every dependant, provider, procedure, or expense is covered. The applicable membership, dependency, referral, empanelment, emergency, and reimbursement rules must be confirmed before treatment or a claim.

Who this applies to

The source includes pensioners receiving service, disability, or family pension and lists spouse, children, and wholly dependent parents as potential dependants. It records a parental income test of less than Rs.9,000 plus Dearness Relief per month (2023 handbook, printed p. 297; PDF p. 308). Eligibility definitions and income limits must be verified for the date of enrolment.

Where both spouses are serving, the handbook says the spouse who retires first contributes and enrols; the later-retiring spouse receives cover as a spouse without a second deduction under the stated rule (2023 handbook, printed p. 297; PDF p. 308).

Rates and dates

From 29 December 2017, the source records a one-time contribution of Rs.1,20,000 for all officers with private-ward entitlement. This is a historical amount, not confirmation of the present contribution (2023 handbook, printed p. 297; PDF p. 308).

What you may need

The cited pages do not prescribe a complete enrolment or reimbursement document list. Obtain the current membership, dependant, referral, treatment, invoice, and reimbursement requirements from ECHS or the applicable Regional Centre before acting.

Authorities and source references

• Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare letter No. 22D(04)/2010/WE/D(Res-I), 29 December 2017
• ECHS and the applicable Regional Centre or Station Headquarters

Related guidance

• Medical reimbursement and advances
• Retirement benefits processing
• SPARSH defence pension administration

About this guidance

This is a plain-language summary for general information. It is not an official order or an authority for a claim. Confirm the applicable order and your individual eligibility with the competent authority or PCDA(O) before acting.