Functioning of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS)

Functioning of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 574

ANSWERED ON 09.12.2013

FUNCTIONING OF ECHS

574 . Shri KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether any service of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinics is being outsourced;
(b) if so, the details thereof, service-wise;
(c) whether the Government has received any complaint regarding irregularities in the functioning of ECHS;
(d) if so, the details thereof including the action taken against the officials found guilty; and
(e) the corrective steps taken / proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure effective functioning of ECHS?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE (SHRI JITENDRA SINGH) MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The On-line medical bill processing of empanelled hospitals has been outsourced to bill processing agency UTI-ITSL. ECHS has also entered into an agreement with M/s SITL for making the Smart Cards of ECHS beneficiaries.

(c) to (e): A few complaints regarding delay in payment of private hospitals bills, inadequate supply of certain medicines, inadequacy of manpower and discourteous behaviour of staff in ECHS Polyclinics have been received and directions were issued to Central Organisation, ECHS for taking corrective measures. Corrective measures taken / initiated include outsourcing of On-line bill processing for speedy payment of empanelled hospital bills, enhancement of remuneration of contractual staff of ECHS, authorizing additional manpower to ECHS, augmenting supply of medicines in ECHS polyclinics and sensitizing staff to bring in attitudinal changes towards ECHS beneficiaries. Complaints received from time to time regarding irregularities in functioning of ECHS are looked into for appropriate action.

Source: Lok Sabha
Via: http://karnmk.blogspot.in/2013/12/functioning-of-ex-servicemen.html