ECHS full form is Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme. It is a healthcare scheme launched by the Government of India under the Ministry of Defence. The main aim of ECHS is to provide quality and affordable medical facilities to ex-servicemen pensioners, their dependents, and widows of Armed Forces personnel.
What is ECHS Full Form ?
ECHS full form is Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme. It is a healthcare scheme launched by the Government of India in April 2003 under the Ministry of Defence.
What is ECHS?
ECHS, launched by the Government of India on 1st April 2003, is a flagship healthcare initiative aimed at providing comprehensive medical support to defence veterans, pensioners, and their dependents.
- The scheme offers cashless medical facilities and access to both allopathic and AYUSH treatments through a wide network of ECHS polyclinics, empanelled private hospitals, and government medical institutions across India.
- Managed by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare under the Ministry of Defence, ECHS follows the framework of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) to ensure affordable, accessible, and hassle-free healthcare for defence personnel and their families.
Where is ECHS Headquarters ?
ECHS Headquarters is situated in New Delhi, The Central Organisation of ECHS, within the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army).
ECHS Full Form Key Points
ECHS plays a crucial role in safeguarding the health and well-being of defence veterans and their families across the nation.
- Flagship Scheme: ECHS is a flagship initiative of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, under the Ministry of Defence. It was officially launched in April 2003.
- Objective: The primary aim of ECHS is to provide affordable and quality healthcare to ex-servicemen pensioners from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with their dependents.
- Healthcare Coverage: The scheme offers allopathic and AYUSH medical treatments through a vast network of ECHS polyclinics, AYUSH hospitals, and empanelled healthcare facilities across India.
- Services Offered:
- Outpatient Care: Includes consultations, basic medical tests, and provision of essential medicines through ECHS polyclinics.
- Inpatient Care: For specialized consultations, advanced investigations, and hospitalization, beneficiaries can access services at service hospitals, government hospitals, and empanelled private hospitals.
- Funding: The Government of India fully finances the ECHS, ensuring lifetime medical support for its members.
ECHS Full Form Objectives
The main aim of the ECHS is to:
- Provide cashless, quality healthcare to retired defence personnel and their families.
- Cover allopathic and AYUSH treatments under one network.
- Minimise the financial burden on ex-servicemen by offering affordable healthcare facilities.
ECHS Full Form Services Offered
ECHS provides a wide range of cashless medical services to its beneficiaries. These services include outpatient care, hospitalization, AYUSH treatments, and pharmacy benefits, ensuring comprehensive healthcare support.
1. Outpatient Services (OPD)
- Doctor consultations
- Diagnostic tests
- Free supply of prescribed medicines
2. Inpatient Services (IPD)
- Hospitalisation at empanelled government or private hospitals
- Surgeries and advanced medical treatments
3. AYUSH Treatments
- Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy treatments
4. Pharmacy Benefits
- Free prescribed medicines through ECHS polyclinics and empanelled hospitals
ECHS Full Form Scheme Benefits
ECHS provides a wide range of healthcare benefits to ensure quality and cashless medical facilities for defence veterans and their families.The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme offers several key benefits:
| Benefit | Details |
| 1. Cashless Healthcare | Treatment at empanelled hospitals & polyclinics without upfront payments. |
| 2. One-Time Contribution | Single payment ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹1,20,000 based on service rank. |
| 3. Unlimited Treatment | No monetary cap on medical expenses for beneficiaries. |
| 4. Nationwide Network | 427+ polyclinics and numerous empanelled hospitals across India. |
| 5. Comprehensive Coverage | Includes consultations, diagnostics, surgeries, medicines & AYUSH care. |
| 6. Portability | Members can avail services from any ECHS empanelled hospital in India. |
ECHS Full Form Eligibility Criteria for Membership
ECHS provides medical facilities to Defence veterans and their families. To become a member, applicants must fall under one of the following categories. The following individuals are eligible to join ECHS:
- Ex-servicemen from the Army, Navy, and Air Force receiving pension or disability pension
- Dependents of ex-servicemen (spouse, children, and parents)
- Widows receiving family pensions
- Gallantry Award winners
- Members of the Military Nursing Service
ECHS Full Form Smart Card – Gateway to Cashless Healthcare
ECHS smart card is compulsory for availing benefits under the scheme. It allows members to:
- Get Cashless Treatment at Empanelled Hospitals: ECHS beneficiaries can avail medical services without paying upfront at all empanelled government and private hospitals.
- Store Medical History and Health Records Digitally: The scheme maintains digital health records, making it easier for doctors to access past reports and provide better treatment.
- Simplify Hospital Registration and Speed Up Admission Process: With stream
ECHS Full Form Latest Updates
ECHS has introduced several new rules and system enhancements in June 2024 to improve healthcare accessibility and simplify administrative processes for beneficiaries.
| Update | New Rule / Change |
| Mobile Number Update | Members can now update their registered mobile numbers without needing approval from the Officer-in-Charge (OIC). |
| Change of Parent Polyclinic | Requests for changing the parent polyclinic are auto-approved; no OIC permission is required. |
| Non-Parent Polyclinic Referral | Beneficiaries can directly obtain approval from the visiting OIC when seeking care from non-parent polyclinics. |
| Healthcare Usage Tracking | A new system has been introduced to track visits to polyclinics for better resource planning and allocation. |
| Removal of Old Reports | The patient registration report has been removed to simplify record management and improve system efficiency. |
| Polyclinic Dependency Report | A new report has been added to monitor workload and enhance resource distribution across polyclinics. |
ECHS Full Form Diseases & Treatments Covered
ECHS offers comprehensive medical coverage to its beneficiaries. From basic consultations to advanced treatments, members can access a wide range of healthcare facilities through ECHS polyclinics, empanelled hospitals, and AYUSH centres. The ECHS full form represents complete medical coverage for members:
- Specialist Consultations: ECHS provides access to expert doctors across various medical fields, ensuring accurate diagnosis and proper treatment for beneficiaries.
- Diagnostic Tests: Members can avail free laboratory investigations, imaging, and other essential diagnostic services through ECHS polyclinics and empanelled hospitals.
- Hospitalisation and Surgeries: The scheme covers both minor and major surgeries, along with emergency medical care, at empanelled government and private hospitals.
- Pharmacy Benefits: Beneficiaries receive prescribed medicines free of cost through ECHS polyclinics and authorized medical facilities across India.
- AYUSH Treatments: ECHS supports holistic healthcare by offering Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy treatments to its members.
- Chronic Disease Management: Special provisions are available for lifelong treatment and regular monitoring of chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases.
ECHS Full Form Scheme Overview
ECHS let us now take a closer look at its detailed features and structure-
Conclusion
ECHS full form is Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, a landmark initiative by the Government of India to provide cashless, affordable, and quality healthcare to defence veterans and their families. With its 427+ polyclinics, empanelled hospitals, unlimited coverage, and simplified digital facilities, ECHS continues to be a lifeline for ex-servicemen nationwide.
ECHS Full Form FAQs
Who is eligible for ECHS membership?
Ex-servicemen, widows, dependents, gallantry award winners, and members of the Military Nursing Service are eligible for ECHS benefits.
What is the purpose of the ECHS smart card?
The ECHS smart card is used to access cashless medical facilities, store medical history, and get faster registration at empanelled hospitals.
How much is the one-time ECHS membership fee?
The ECHS membership fee ranges between ₹30,000 and ₹1,20,000, depending on the ex-serviceman’s last rank.
Does ECHS cover all medical treatments?
Yes, ECHS provides comprehensive coverage, including consultations, surgeries, medicines, diagnostics, AYUSH treatments, and hospitalisation.
