ECHS Full Form

Full Form: Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme Launched: 2003 Administered by: Ministry of Defence, Government of India Functional Control: Army (Adjutant General's Branch)

Who is Eligible for ECHS? • Retired personnel of Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force • Widows and dependents of deceased service personnel • Reservists (who have put in qualifying service) • Certain ex-servicemen who retired on medical/disability grounds

How ECHS Works: • Beneficiaries register and obtain an ECHS Smart Card • Primary treatment at ECHS Polyclinics (at military stations) • Referral from polyclinic → secondary/tertiary treatment at:

• Military hospitals (free)
• Empanelled civilian hospitals (cashless) • Covers: OPD, hospitalisation, surgeries, specialist treatment, medicines

Contribution: • Members pay a one-time contribution based on rank/last pay drawn:

• JCOs/ORs (lower ranks): lower contribution
• Officers: higher contribution
• Example: Officers retired after 2016 pay ₹30,000 (approximate, varies) • Once paid, lifetime medical coverage for beneficiary and dependents

ECHS Network: • 400+ Polyclinics across India • 4,000+ empanelled civil hospitals • Covers treatment in remote areas where military hospitals may not exist

Benefits: • Cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals • Covers major surgeries, cancer treatment, dialysis, cardiac procedures • Medicine supply from polyclinic dispensary • ECHS Smart Card used for identification at all network hospitals

Related Scheme: • CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) — for civilian central government employees (not armed forces)