Confirmation/ Continuation of ECHS Membership to the existing ECHS Beneficiaries of Army Postal Service (APS) – Executive Instructions

Central Organisation
Ex-Servicemen Contributory
Health Scheme (ECHS)
Adjutant General’s Branch
Integrated HQ of MoD
Thimayya Marg,
Near Gopinath Circle
Delhi Cantt – 110010

B/49701-PR/AG/ ECHS/2023

26 Apr 2023

EXECUTIVE INSTRUCTIONS : CONFIRMATION/ CONTINUATION OF ECHS MEMBERSHIP TO THE EXISTING ECHS BENEFICIARIES OF ARMY POSTAL SERVICE (APS)

1. Please refer to Government of India, Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare D (WE/Res-l) letter No 22(01)/2020-D(WE/Res-I) dated O06 Apr 2023 forwarded vide Central Org ECHS letter No B/49701-PR/AG/ECHS/2023 dt 06 Apr 2023 (copy attached).

2. Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) was introduced vide Government of India, Ministry of Defence letter No 22(1)/01/ US(WE)/ D(Res) dated 30 Dec 2002. The scheme is entitled only to those persons who were meeting twin criteria of being ESM and drawing pension from Defence. The benefit of the scheme was also extended to eligible Army Postal Service (APS) personnel.

3. On 17 Nov 2016, an order was issued by Government of India, Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare letter No 22D(03) /2015AVE/D(Res) dated 17 Nov 2016, stating that pension/ disability pension and family pensioners mentioned in Para 2 of Ministry of Defence letter No 22(1)/01/US (WE)/D(Res) dt 30 Dec 2002 means only the defence pensions drawn from Controller of Defence Accounts. As a result, the APS personnel who do not draw their pension from Defence Estimates through CDA became ineligible for ECHS membership.

4. With the introduction of 64 KB cards, the existing card holders as well as some new APS personnel applied for either upgradation of the 16 KB/32 KB card or for issue of fresh 64 KB card. In accordance with the provisions of letter dt 17 Nov 2016 mentioned above, those APS personnel who applied for 64 KB cards were denied membership.

5. Due to various petitions from those who were given ECHS membership earlier and were denied later based on letter dt 17 Nov 2016, Central Organisation, ECHS pursued a case with Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare to allow continuation of ECHS membership to those APS personnel who were granted ECHS membership prior to 17 Nov 2016 and who retired from the APS on completion of terms of engagement of the Army after secondment from Department of posts without reversion to the Department of Posts.

6. MoD vide their letter under ref have concurred to the proposal. Details of sanction granted by Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare is as under:-

• Grant of ECHS membership to the existing ECHS beneficiaries of Army Postal Service holding 16 KB/32 KB ECHS card or temporary slip and joined ECHS prior to 17 Nov 2016 without reversion to the Department of Posts.
• The eligible APS retirees, including their eligible dependents as per ECHS order, will continue to avail ECHS benefits.
• The APS personnel should not be members of CGHS in the retired personnel category and also not in receipt of Fixed Medical Allowance.
• This is an onetime measure granted to the above ECHS beneficiaries of APS and should not be quoted as a precedence.

7. All other procedure and policies of ECHS will be applicable to above mentioned categories in letter and spirit. All relevant details are hosted on the ECHS website.

8. This information may be disseminated to the environment for information of all ECHS beneficiaries under your jurisdiction.

(Santosh Kumar)
Capt (IN)
Offg Dir (Ops & Coord)

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Central Organisation ECHS
Adjutant General’s Branch
Integrated Headquarters of
MoD (Army), Thimayya Marg,
Near Gopinath Circle,
Delhi Cantt – 110 010

B/49711-NSC/AG/ ECHS/Gen Corr

26 Oct 2022

ANNUAL VALIDATION OF ECHS MEMBERSHIP OF DEPENDENTS BY SUBMISSION OF LIFE CERTIFICATE AND ELIGIBILITY DOCUMENTS BY PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES

1. Please refer the following:-

• (a) Central Organisation letter No B/49711-NSC/AG/ ECHS/Gen Corr dated 06 Jul 2022.
• (b) Central Organisation letter No B/497171-NSC/AG/ ECHS dated 27 Jul 2022.

2. A detailed procedure on Annual Validation of ECHS Membership of Dependents (excluding spouse) above 18 years of age was promulgated vide letter under reference. Based on the inputs received from the environment, few additional features including change in timelines have been incorporated to the software, so as to provide adequate time to beneficiaries to obtain and upload the requisite documents. The details are given in the succeeding paragraphs.

3. Already Rejected Cases. All beneficiaries whose eligibility has been rejected by the respective OIC Parent Polyclinic, based on the Form 26AS/ITR/other uploaded documents, will get one more online opportunity to apply for review with respective Director Regional Centre. In such cases, the ESM/Primary Beneficiary will receive an interactive window for rejected cases to upload fresh Form 26AS/ITR/other authorised documents, which, once uploaded will be directly visible to the concerned Director Regional Centre for review. Incase the uploaded documents meet the eligibility criteria, the Director Regional Centre will approve or reject the application. In case of rejection, the 64 KB ECHS Card of the concerned dependent will be blocked from the date of completion of one year or date of rejection or effective date whichever is later.

4. Cases Pending Approval By OIC Parent Polyclinic. The OIC Polyclinics will get three options as mentioned below in respect of all primary beneficiaries who have uploaded the documents for validation and are pending for decision with OIC:

• (a) Approval. OIC Parent Polyclinic will check the uploaded documents and if satisfied, will click on ‘Approved Tab’ to approve the eligibility to extend the validity for another one year, from the date when 64 KB ECHS Card was due for Annual Validation.
• (b) Reverted with Observation. In case, the OIC Parent Polyclinic ascertains – that the documents uploaded are incorrect, then by using Tab ‘Revert with Observation’, the eligibility validation is reverted with an option to the ESM/Primary beneficiary to re-submit the correct documents. In such cases, the ESM/Primary Beneficiary will re-submit the required documents and the same will be visible to Director Regional Centre once uploaded. If the required documents are submitted before the date by which the card is to be blocked, the card will remain functional/ active till the documents are reviewed by Director Regional Centre. In case the required documents are not submitted before the date by which the card is to be blocked, the card will get blocked as per the date by which the card is scheduled to be blocked. Once the documents are submitted and if approved, the card will become active and if rejected will be blocked.
• (c) Rejected and Forwarded to Dir Regional Centre. Once the OIC Parent Polyclinic is satisfied that the uploaded documents are incorrect and ascertains that the dependent beneficiary does not meet the eligibility criteria, then OIC Polyclinic to use Tab ‘Rejected and Forwarded for Review to Dir Regional Centre’ and forward the same for review/rejection to Dir Regional Centre.

Thereafter, the application will be visible to respective Director Regional Centre for first review. Based on the uploaded documents, the Dir Regional Centre will either approve or reject the verification of documents. If it is rejected by the Dir Regional Centre, the card will get blocked.

5. Blocking of ECHS Cards. ECHS cards will be blocked on the date by which the annual validation was due, once it is rejected by OIC Parent Polyclinic. However, the ECHS Cards will be unblocked in case the Dir Regional Centre approves the application in the first review as given at Para 4 (c) above.

6. Beneficiary with New PAN Card. As per the feedback received from the environment, few ESM/Primary beneficiaries are unable to obtain the Income Certificate from the State Revenue Department and have now processed the applications for the preparation of their PAN Cards. However, in such cases, as the PAN Card is new, the Form 26AS generated will be from the date when the PAN Card is prepared. Hence, the following two documents will be uploaded in the following sequence:-

• (a) Self attested copy of PAN Card duly certifying date of preparation of PAN Card.
• (b) Self-attested Form 26AS, generated for the new PAN Card for the current financial year.

7. The above will also be applicable to all dependents who have attained age of 18 years and above, on or after 01 Jan 2020.

8. The OIC Parent Polyclinic or Director Regional Centre will approve/reject the ECHS membership based on eligibility as per above mentioned documents.

9. Date of Implementation. The new upgraded software will be made live by 31 Oct 2022. To facilitate all pending cases to upload and apply for annual validation, the blocking of ineligible cards will now be undertaken with effect from 01 Jan 2023.

10. It is requested that the contents of this letter to be disseminated in the environment for information of all the ECHS beneficiaries. All Regional Centres will ensure that all Polyclinics under their jurisdiction are informed on Top Priority.

(Anupam Agarwal)
Brig
Dy MD
For MD ECHS

DOWNLOAD ANNUAL VALIDATION OF ECHS MEMBERSHIP OF DEPENDENTS BY SUBMISSION OF LIFE CERTIFICATE AND ELIGIBILITY DOCUMENTS BY PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES PDF

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Tele : 25684645
Telefax: 011-25684946
Email: jditechs1@echs.gov.in

Central Organisation ECHS
Adjutant General’s Branch
Integrated Headquarters of
MoD (Army), Thimayya Marg,
Near Gopinath Circle
Delhi Cantt – 110 010

B/49711-NSC/AG/ ECHS/Gen Corr

03 Dec 2020

IHQ of MoD (Air Force)
IHQ of MoD (Navy)
HQ West Comd (A/ECHS)
HQ South Comd (A/ECHS)
HQ East Comd (A/ECHS)
HQ Central Comd (A/ECHS)
Northern Comd (A/ECHS)
South West Comd (A/ECHS)
All Area Headquarters
All Regional Centres

UTILISATION OF ECHS SERVICES VALIDITY OF ECHS CARDS & TEMPORARY SLIPS

1. Refer Central Organisation, ECHS letter No. B/49711-NewSmart / AG/ ECHS dated 19 Dec 2018 (copy attached).

2. Detailed instructions were disseminated vide letter under reference for ECHS Beneficiaries to utilize ECHS facilities beyond 31 Dec 2018. To sensitize the environment on the present status of various documents and their utilisation/ expiry dates are given at succeeding paragraphs.

3. NEW 64 KB smart Card Holder.

(a) At present 15,20,138 lakh new 64 Kb ECHS Cards have been handed over to the beneficiaries out of 29,03,557 lakh new 64 Kb Cards so far delivered to various Station HQs for handing over to the beneficiaries. Necessary clarification to distribute cards from respective parent Polyclinics have been issued by CO ECHS. Issue of cards may be expedited.

(b) The new 64 Kb ECHS Cards are pre-activated cards with a universal PIN 123456. On reaching the Polyclinics for the first time beneficiaries are required to change the PIN on KIOSK to create a personal PIN.

(c) Following online facilities can be utilised by the ECHS beneficiaries:-

• (i) Change of parent Polyclinic after collection of cards.
• (ii) Change of registered mobile no. after collection of cards.
• (iii) Change of data after collecting cards.
• (iv) Blocking of card and apply for re-print of card in case of loss of card.
• (v) Blocking of card in case of death and intelligibility of dependent.

(d) Mobile APP. A mobile application, “ECHS beneficiary’ has been launched for both Android and IOS smart phones. All primary beneficiaries are advised to download “ECHS beneficiary’/ mobile application on their respective smart mobile phones and register themselves with respective parent Polyclinics. The mobile app provides following facilities at present.

• (i) Booking online appointment before visiting Polyclinics.
• (ii) Checking status of online ECHS application for 64 Kb Cards.
• (ii) Details of Polyclinics, address, contact numbers, etc.
• (iv) Details of referrals can be viewed.
• (v) Approval details of extended stay/unlisted procedure details can be seen.
• (vi) Notification from OIC parent Polyclinics can be viewed.

4. New 64 Kb ECHS Smart Card applied successfully but cards awaited.

(a) These category of beneficiaries have the facility to download temporary slip once they login using their login credentials. These temporary slips are valid for six months in the first stage and have to be authenticated by the OIC of their respective parent Polyclinic. However, for some reasons for veterans who have not received the new 64 Kb ECHS cards and getting entitled medical cover using online temporary slip, the validity of these temporary slips have been extended to 30 Jun 2021. Extension of validity by OIC Polyclinics is not mandatory to avail service at hospital. However, if such veterans reach Polyclinics, the same be extended by OIC Polyclinics.

(b) For beneficiaries who are already holding online temporary slip the validity was extended up to 31 Dec 2020. Due to COVID-19 the competent authority has now approved the validity of online temp slip up to 30 Jun 2021.

(c) These temporary slips enable the beneficiary to avail entitled treatment. After receipt of new 64 Kb ECHS Cards, the temporary slips will be invalid and these category of persons will utilize the facilities as per Para 3 above.

Unmarried disabled sons eligible for ECHS facilities even after attaining 25 years

5. 32 KB ECHS Smart Card holders

(a) All 32 Kb Kb ECHS cards are valid for a period of 10 years from the date of issue. This category will continue getting their entitled medical cover with 32 Kb cards till further orders.

(b) All beneficiaries under the category who have applied for new 64 Kb cards but not received will get their medical cover as under:-

• (i) Incase online application is verified by respective Record office then the ESM/ Primary Beneficiary is advised to download online temporary slip and get it countersigned from the OIC Parent Polyclinic to continue getting entitled medical cover for existing online temporary slips holders the details already covered under Para 4 above.
• (ii) Incase online application is under observation from Records then the beneficiary will get entitled medical cover with 32 Kb ECHS cards.
• (iii) Incase online application is pending verification with Record office then the beneficiary to continue getting entitled medical cover with 32 Kb ECHS cards.

(c) 32 Kb ECHS card holders are adviced to apply online for new 64 Kb ECHS cards at the earliest to enable even distribution of load, at respective Record office for verification of online application and to avail the services offered by the new software and mobile application.

6. NRI who have yet to apply for new 64 KB ECHS Cards.

The ESM who is NRI/OCI will initially itself select the category of NRI/OCI. The ESM/Beneficiary will have to fill email ID which will be a mandatory field and will receive OTP on this registered email address. Once the OTP is verified, he/she will fill the application and will get Aadhar number exempted. The payment will be made online in INR. Once the payment is made the application will be visible to the respective Record Office for verification. On verification the cards will be printed and forwarded to the Station HQs affiliated to the parent Polyclinic. The cards once ready for collection then an OTP will be sent on the registered email. Then the cards can be collected from the respective station HQ’s.

7. ECHS beneficiaries who could not apply due to non registration with UIDAI (Aadhar card not possible to be made).

A suitable software has been implemented to handle Aadhar exception owing to age related issues or medical condition of the beneficiary. A detailed instructions have been issued vide Central Organization letter No B/49711-DBT/AG/ECHS dated 13 Feb 2019 (copy attached).

8. Offline temporary slip holder and not applied for new 64 Kb cards.

Offline temporary slip holders to apply for new 64 Kb ECHS card on priority. All offline temporary slips can be extended up to 01 Apr 2021 by the OIC parent Polyclinic. Beyond 01 Apr 2021, any ESM/Primary Beneficiary approaching Polyclinics for medical treatment will be required to first fill the online application for 64 Kb ECHS Card at the facilitation centre of the Polyclinic and then avail the facility. In case of emergency then necessary medical cover be provided by endorsing ‘VALIDITY EXTENDED BY ONE MONTH UP TO……” on the temporary slip in red. Similar extension for 15 days duly endorsing on the temporary slip in red ink can be given in case of emergency for the second time. However, individual be advised that no more extension can be given and he should apply online for new 64 Ko ECHs Card. Observation in online application if any should be cleared by 30 Sep 2020.

9. 16 Kb ECHS Card holder and not yet applied for new 64 Kb ECHS Card

16 Kb ECHS Cards have expired on 31 Dec 2018. However, it is seen that still few application, Polyclinic will assist in getting the online temporary slip downloaded which will be valid for six months. This temporary slip is being generated before the online application is verified by respective Record Office. Hence, OIC parent Polyclinic to ensure only medical cover to those beneficiaries’ whose 16 Kb ECHS Card is already held by the ESM/Primary beneficiary. Any additional beneficiary who is already not an existing ECHS beneficiary can only get medical cover once the online application is Verified by Respective Record Office. The process of filling up of online application and clearing the observation if any should be completed latest by 31 Mar 2021.

10. Applied for new 64 Kb ECHS Card but application under observation

These categories of beneficiary will fall under the following categories:-

• (a) 32 Kb Card holder will keep getting his/her entitled medical benefits based on his 32 Kb Card.
• (b) Offline temporary slip holder to get his temporary slip extended by another three months from the OIC parent Polyclinic to get entitled medical benefits. However, the beneficiary should get the observations cleared on priority. They will be ineligible if observations are not rectified by 31 Mar 2021.
• (c) 16 Kb ECHS Card holder can download temporary slip online which will be valid for six months. This temporary slip has to be validated by the OIC parent Polyclinic. However, the beneficiary to get all observations settled by 31 Mar 2021.

11. Incase medical emergencies, services will not be denied on the pre text of validity of temporary slips/cards. OIC Polyclinics and. Dir Regional centre will engage practically with empanelled facilities-to ensure the same.

12. A summary of above mentioned updates is attached as Appx ‘A’. The content of Appx A be disseminated to the environment for information of all ECHS beneficiaries. All Regional Centres will ensure that all Policlinics under them are informed on priority.

(Rakesh Kakar)
Col (Retd)
Jt Dir (Stats & Automation)
for MD ECHS

Source: ECHS

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Tele 25684645
Telefax : 011-25684946
Email :jditechs1@echs.gov.in

Central Organisation ECHS
Adjutant General’s Branch
Integrated Headquarters of
MoD (Army), Thimayya Marg,
Near Gopinath Circle,
Delhi Cantt- 110 010

B/49711-NSC/AG/ECHS/Gen Corr

22 Jun 2020

IHQ of MoD (Air Force)
IHQ of MoD (Navy)
HQ West Comd (A/ECHS)
HQ South Comd (A/ECHS)
HQ East Comd (A/ECHS)
HQ Central comd (A/ECHS)
Northern Comd (A/ECHS)
South West Comd (A/ECHS)
All Area Headquarters
All Regional Centres

EXTENSION OF VALIDITY OF TEMPORARY SLIP UPTO 31 DEC 2020

1. Please refer to Central Organisation ECHS letter No. B/49711-
New Smart Card/ AG/ECHS dated 30 Aug 2019.

Also check: CGHS – NOTIFICATION OF CGHS RATES FOR 25 INVESTIGATIONS APPLICABLE IN ECHS HCOs

2. All Ex-Servicemen/ Primary beneficiaries who apply online for new 64 Kb ECHS Cards have been permitted to download online temporary slip as per category given at Para 2 of CO, ECHS letter No B/49711-New Smart Card /AG/ ECHS dated 19 Dec 2018 (copy attached).

3. Due to backlog in printing of Cards and disruption in distribution of 64 Kb ECHS Cards due to COVID-19, the Competent Authority has approved the extension of the validity of online temporary slip till 31 Dec 2020. All the temporary slips endorsed as “valid upto 30 Jun 2020” will need no further validation from OIC Polyclinic and will be deemed as valid till 31 Dec 2020. All Polyclinics and empanelled hospitals may be informed accordingly to accept the same.

4. It may also be noted that all temporary slips will be collected back at the time of issue of 64 Kb Cards by issuing tin HQ.

(JP Chahal)
Col
Dir (Stats & Automation)
for MD ECHS

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(All Record Offices (Army, Navy & Airforce)
MP -5 / 6
MP-8
Coast Guard

VERIFICATION OF ONLINE APPLICATION FOR ECHS CARDS BY RECORD OFFICE

l. The process of making of new 64 Kb ECHS Card by an EX-Servicemen is initiated by the ESM by filling an online application form. ESM fills full details of self and dependents and uploads the required documents and photographs. Then ESM is required to make online payment through the payment gateway. Alter payment is made the application is visible to respective Record Offices for verification.

2. The application is verified by the Record Office after which there is no human intervention and the Cards are automatically printed. Hence, incase incorrect data is uploaded emneously by the ESM and the same is verified by respective records then the Card is printed with wrong data e.g. Date of Birth. name etc. Once the ECHS Card with wrong data is used by the beneficiary in case of emergency, ESM may be for once denied treatment/admission by an empanelled hospital, which may have sever repercussion leading to litigation.

3. A large number of complaints have been received from the environment where new 64 Kb Cards have been printed with wrong data. it is reiterated that although the onus to fill onlinc application for ECHS Card correctly is with the ESM but from the organizational point of view Record Office is the final authority to verify the correctness of all data including photo, PPO etc.

4. In view of the above. it is requested that Records Offices may please ensure that all fields in the application form filled by the ESM for new 64 Kb ECHS Smart Card be scruitinized with delibration to ensure error free verification.

5. This letter may please be put up to respective CROs.

Sd/-
(Rakesh Kakar)
Jt Dir (Stats & Automation)
for MD ECHS

Source: echs.gov.in

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Medical facilities for in-patient treatment and post-operative follow-up treatment to ECHS beneficiaries residing in districts not covered by ECHS.

No. 22D (09)12013/US (WE)/D (Res)
Government of India
Deptt of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
Ministry of Defence
New Delhi

Dated the 21st August, 2013

To
The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff

Subject:- Medical facilities for in-patient treatment and post-operative follow-up treatment to ECHS beneficiaries residing in districts not covered by ECHS.
Sir.
1, The undersigned is directed to invite attention to Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence letter No. 24(48)/03/US(WE)D(Res) dated 19th December, 2003 and to state that keeping in view, the difficulties being faced by the ECHS beneficiaries residing in districts not covered by ECHS it has now been decided to liberalise the ECHS Rules as follows to enable them to avail medical facilities for in-patient treatment and post- operative follow-up treatment-

(a) (i)   ECHS beneficiaries who are holding a valid ECHS Card and are residing in districts not covered by ECHS shall be eligible to obtain treatment from Govt. (Central/State/Local Self Government) hospitals and submit the medical re-imbursement claim to the ECHS Polyclinic (i.e. they can avail the treatment without obtaining referral from Polyclinic located outside their district),

(ii) Re-imbursement shall be limited to the CGHS rates applicable to the nearest ECHS Polyclinic and as per the ceiling rates and ward entitlements or as per actuals whichever is lower.

(b) (i)  ECHS beneficiaries who are holding a valid ECHS card and are residing in districts not covered by ECHS shall be eligible to obtain post¬operative follow-up treatment from Govt. (Central/State/Local Self Government) hospitals in follow up cases of Renal Transplant Surgery Knee and Hip Joint Replacement, Cancer Treatment Neuro Surgery and Cardiac Surgery. However, prior permission (referral) is to be obtained from the OIC of nearest ECHS Polyclinic.

(ii) Permission shall be issued for 3 to 6 months at a time and may be extended based on medical requirement. Reimbursement for consultation, procedures and investigations shall be limited to CGHS rates applicable to the nearest ECHS polyclinic and as per the ceiling rates and ward entitlements or as per actuals ,whichever may be lower. OPD medicines shall be obtained from the concerned Polyclinic for a maximum period of 3 months at a time.

2. These order will come into effect from date of issue.

3. This issues with the concurrence of MoD (Finance) vide U.O. 1574/13/Fin/Pen dated 11th July, 2013.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
( HK Mallick)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: http://www.desw.gov.in
[http://www.desw.gov.in/sites/upload_files/desw/files/pdf/in-%20patients.pdf]

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