VOLUNTARY SUSPENSION/CANCELLATION OF ECHS MEMBERSHIP

Some cases have come to notice that AFVs after becoming members of ECHS have taken up emp in Central/State Govt which have their own med schemes. Hence they are requested to place their ECHS membership in suspension/cancellation in case they are drawing benefit of Central Govt/State Govt/PSUS/PMF funded scheme.

2. In such cases ESM must deposit their ECHS smart cards with Regional Centre ECHS alongwith all particulars of post retirement employment. The ECHS contribution is non-refundable.

3. The Regional Centres are to keep such ECHS smart cards in safe custody till such time ESM is employed with other Govt deptt. The same will be reactivated once the ESM chooses ECHS and does not take any benefit from any other Govt run medical scheme on final completion/retirement of his service with Central Govt/State Govt/PSUS/PMF. http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/voluntry%20suspension.htm

ECHS MEMBERSHIP TO COAST GUARD PENSIONERS

All uniformed Coast Guard pensioners drawing pension/disability pension / family pension as per Pension Pay Order (PPO) will be eligible for ECHS membership.

FOR FULL DETAILS CLICK ON http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page38.htm

EXTENSION OF EX-SERVICEMEN CONTRIBUTORY HEALTH SCHEME TO THE RETIRED PERSONNEL OF DEFENCE SECURITY CORPS

Introduction. Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme introduced vide Govt of India, Ministry of Defence letter No 22(1)01/US (WE)/D (Res) dated 30 Dec 2002 has further been extended to the retired personnel of Defence Security Corps, through a Corrigendum issued vide Govt of India, Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare letter No 22(68)/2006/ US(WE)/D (Res) dt 22 Jan 08. With the issue of ibid corrigendum, all the facilities of ECHS as applicable to the ex-servicemen will be applicable mutatis mutandis to the retired personnel of Defence Security Corps.

Applicability. The scheme will be compulsory for all retired personnel of Defence Security Corps (including TA retirees who were not eligible earlier) who have been transferred to pension establishment on or after 22 Jan 2008. Those persons who retired earlier than 22 Jan 2008 may join ECHS as per their discretion.

DSC personnel who have already retired from DSC service prior to the issue of corrigendum under GOI, Min of Def, department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare letter No 22(68)/2006/4S(WE) D (Res) dt 22 Jan 2008, will approach their nearest Polyclinic /Stn HQ for obtaining ECHS applications and further processing of the same.

http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page37.htm

REVISED POLICY ON ECHS APPLICATION FORM/ISSUE OF DUPLICATE SMART CARD(S)/TEMPORARY RECEIPT FOR DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED FOR ECHS MEMBERSHIP DOCUMENTS

Receipt of Application, Vetting and Issue of ECHS Membership Cards. Initial application duly completed alongwith all relevant documents in respect of eligible pre 01 Apr 2003 retirees ex-servicemen will be deposited with nearest Stn HQ/Regional Centres in person. After vetting of applications, a temporary receipt duly signed by designated officer at Stn HQs will be given to the individual which will be valid for taking medical treatment till the receipt of the ECHS Smart Card(s). The vetted application form then will be forwarded to dependent Regional Centre. On receipt of the documents final scrutiny will be carried out at Regional Centre which will arrange the manufacturing of ECHS Smart Cards through nominated Vendor. On receipt of ECHS Smart Cards the same will be forwarded to the dependent Stn HQs for further handing over to the applicant. The serving personnel will continue to process their applications through respective record offices, i.e
MP5-6 (for Army Officers)/Air HQ (for AF Officer)/AFRO (for AF PBOR)/ NHQ (for Naval Officers) / CABS (for Naval
PBOR)/ CGHQ (For Coast Guard Officers and PBOR). The application form duly vetted must then be sent by the concerned Record Office to concerned Regional Centre for manufacturing of ECHS Smart Cards. The receipt of the documents will be retained by them for further handing over to the individual in case Smart Card is not ready for handing over prior to retirement. Detailed procedure for filling up/handling of application forms are given at http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page40.htm

ECHS HELPLINE

On dirns of COSC, it was directed vide letter under ref to create helplines for ESM on ECHS matters at all stations. It was also confirmed that the action has been completed.

3. However it has been observed that the helplines are not doing their job efficiently resulting in inconvenience to the ESM. As a result ESM are contacting IHQ of MoD (Army) directly even for minor issues. Some stations have even given the telephone Nos of appointments at IHQ of MoD (Army) as helpline Nos.
http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page39.htm

ELIGIBILITY OF DEPENDENTS : ECHS MEMBERSHIP

It is observed that ECHS membership is refused to eligible ESM for their bonafide handicapped children who are unable to earn their livelihood on the grounds that necessary endorsement of grant of family pension in the PPOs is not made.

It should be appreciated that a bonafide handicapped child unable to earn his livelihood is eligible for ECHS membership for life. The only mandatory requirements are:-

(a) Publication of Part II Orders for inclusion of birth of child in Record of Service.

(b) Endorsement by civil Surgeon/Appropriate Service Medical Authorities for ascertaining the disability.

Considering the above though an ESM may be advised to get necessary endorsement made in the PPO which is in his own interest and that of the child but it will not be a mandary requirement for grant of ECHS membership. http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page36.htm

AMPLIFICATION ON ECHS MEMBERSHIP FOR RE-EMPLOYED OFFICERS

As per referred letter the ECHS membership of re-employed personnel is kept under suspended animation since he is authorised all medical facilities from Armed Forces Medical Services as applicable to serving personnel. This was done to ensure that no Govt employee can be member of two Govt medical schemes concurrently. Representations have been received from the re-employed personnel regarding denial of appropriate medical facilities to their dependents since dependents of Service Personnel cannot be referred to empanelled facilities particularly at Non-Military stations. They have also represented against their contribution getting locked up without any interest since they are not availing ECHS facilities during re-employment.

ECHS is not a stand alone Scheme. It is an extension of Armed Forces Medical Services. As per Govt policy all ECHS members are to first fully utilise Armed Forces Medical Services facilities available in the station before being referred to empanelled facilities.

In view of the above following fresh guidelines will apply in case of re-employed officers, both pre and post 01 Apr 03 retirees chekc link http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/Amplificationon%20ECHS%20Membership.htm

AMENDMENT TO SAMPLE OF AFFIDAVIT WITH APPLICATION

The following may please be added in page No 11 of application form :-

Add Para 12 as under

I understand that the contribution I am making is a one time token amount and is non-refundable even if I do not make use of any ECHS facilities.
http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/Amendment%20to%20application.htm

TREATMENT OF SENIOR CITIZENS

The following will be treated as Senior Citizens :-

(a) Males - 75 Yrs & above.

(b) Females - 70 Yrs & above.

check link http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/treatment%20of%20senior%20citizen.htm

ELIGIBILITY OF DEPENDENT SON (S)

The restriction on upper age limit of dependent son (s) was removed based on the stay granted by Hon’ble Delhi High Court in Civil Miscellaneous Petition No 115/97 and Civil Writ Petition No 2542 of 1996. The same has now been lifted by Delhi High Court and the Civil Writ Petition stands dismissed.

Consequent to receipt of Office Memorandum from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, it has been decided to re-fix the age limit of dependent son (s) as following:-

“ Till he starts earning or attaining the age of 25 years whichever is earlier.”

check link http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page34.htm

TIMINGS OF ECHS POLYCLINICS

Broad guidelines for timings of ECHS Polyclinics have been laid in the referred letter. It is reiterated that OPD registration in all polyclinics be stopped at 1430h daily. This would enable referrals to be generated upto 1500h. Thereafter the polyclinic would have one hour (i.e from 1500h to 1600h) dedicated for its interior economy which includes data entry and processing of reimbursement bills submitted by hospitals and individuals. However all emergency cases will be handled till 1600h or till the polyclinic closes, whichever is later.

The timings are reqd to be strictly followed for local patients. At the same time due consideration should be given to patients, who have come from far distance and be attended to accordingly.

Check link http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page31.htm

POLICY ON ISSUE OF DUPLICATE SMART CARD(S)

Submission of photocopy of the ECHS Smart Card alongwith application for issue of Duplicate Card henceforth will not be a must though it will still be desirable for speedy issue of duplicate Smart Cards. However the applicant should give details of old lost cards for early processing. If he cannot provide the details he be told that issue of New Smart Cards will take longer time.

Check link http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page33.htm

ELIGIBILITY ECHS MEMBERSHIP : MERGER OF PENSION WITH SECOND SERVICE

Cases have also come to notice where on retirement many pensioners after taking up a second career with Central Govt/State Govt/PSUS/PMF, have opted to merge their pension with the second service. Armed Forces Veterans (AFV) who have retired after completion of terms of engagement and later opted to merge their pension with the second career do fulfill the eligibility conditions of being a pensioner. In such cases following documents may be accepted as proof:-

(a) Certificate from current/last employer clearly stating that his previous pension (from service in Armed Forces) has been merged with current pension.

(b) Copy of PPO, if available or Pension Book/Discharge Book in respect of PBOR.

(c) Service Particulars Retired/Released Officer’s (Booklet) in respect of officers.

Check link http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page32.htm

IMPLEMENTATION OF SUPREME COURT ORDER - Pre 1996 RETIREES

All Ex-Servicemen who are drawing pension from Controller of Defence Accounts and who have retired prior to 01 Jan 1996 are exempted from payment of contribution under Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme. However, they will continue to apply for membership. All documents except MRO will be submitted alongwith application form.

MOD has been requested for instructions on refund of contribution in respect of those pre 01 Jan 1996 retirees who have already joined ECHS. Decision and procedure for the same will be intimated as and when received from the Government. pLEASE CHEKC THE LINK
http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page29.htm

POLICY FOR REDRESSAL OF GRIEVANCES

Central Organisation ECHS is receiving various suggestions/queries/complaints directly from Armed Forces Veterans/ Ex-Servicemen Leagues/ Associations etc. The complaints are eventually being investigated by the concerned Station HQs/Regional Centres and Command HQs. This at times results in time consuming and non obligatory involvement of higher HQ whereas the same could be addressed/resolved at Stn HQ itself. It also results in delay in resolving the issues.

To obviate the avoidable delay and speedy clearance of the issues, it is suggested that a wide publicity be given to the Armed Forces Veteren and various Ex-Services Leagues/ Association that all suggestions/queries/complaints be directly addressed to concerned Station HQ/Regional Centre for resolving the issues. Matters pertaining to policies could be referred to Central Organisation ECHS directly.

check the link http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page30.htm

ELIGIBILITY OF DEPENDENT SON (S)

Unemployed and wholly dependent son is permitted to be included as dependent. Details must be included in the service record of the pensioner. However, to avail the medical facilities beyond the age of 25 years the ESM pensioner/family pensioner will annually certify the dependency of his/her son through an ‘Affidavit’ on attaining the age of 25 years. This implies that a wholly dependent son is permitted to avail medical facilities irrespective of age provided that ESM pensioner certifies his dependency annually commencing from the age of 25 years
check the link http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page28.htm

CLARIFICATION ON TERM ‘FAMILY’ FOR ENROLMENT INTO ECHS

Mentally/Handicapped Children are permitted to be member of ECHS for life. Eligibility conditions for grant of ECHS membership in respect of such children have been stipulated vide Para 3(e) (i) to (iii) of our letter under reference. However, few ESM are finding it difficult to get the disability certified by a Service Classified Specialist especially those who retired prior to inception of ECHS.

Click the link for details of new certificate that is required to be submitted.http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page27.htm

CHANGE OF PARENT POLYCLINIC: ALL INDIA

It has been represented by a number of ECHS members that the procedure for seeking change of address and parent polyclinic stipulated vide our letter under reference is time consuming and inconvenient.

Keeping in view the convenience of ECHS members, with immediate the procedure enumerated in http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page24.htm

ELIGIBILITY OF DEPENDENTS : ECHS MEMBERSHIP

As per the existing instructions, an ESM pensioner/family pensioner is permitted to
include names of his/her wholly dependent children for grant of ECHS membership. However, names of such children should be found recorded in the service records of the ESM pensioner. For children born after retirement or for some other reasons if the names of children are not endorsed in the Service Records during the service; an ESM is required to approach his Record Office for endorsement of names of his children through publication of Non Effective Series of part II Orders. Provisions exists for publication of Record Office NE Part II Orders within three years ie up to Aug 2007 for getting necessary Part II Orders published by affected ESM has been granted by the competent authority.

3. Notwithstanding the above, cases have come to light wherein an ESM has expired and the names of children are not found recorded in the service records of the deceased soldier. The names of such dependent children can not be recorded in the service records of the deceased soldier as per rules on the subject. As result some widows whose husbands or orphan children whose parents did not get the necessary Part II Orders published, are facing difficulties in seeking ECHS membership. To ameliorate the difficulties of affected widows and such orphans children, the procedure as mentioned in http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/echs/policy/ops/op_page26.htm

TREATMENT OF SENIOR CITIZENS

All members of ECHS are retd members and very soon will become senior citizens. However at the same time, some old and sick people need to be given priority at ECHS Polyclinics.

2. It has been decided that in future patients above 75 yrs of age, will be treated as senior citizens in the ECHS Polyclinics and will be given priority. The senior citizens will be attended out of turn at reception, examination by doctors and issue of medicines.