AFVOA Newletters of Year 2003

Page 102 of 170 Centres will provide back up support for in-patient hospitalisation/treatment/investigations where Service Hospitals do not have bed space or facilities. Treatment will be easily accessible in emergencies, either through empanelled hospitals or non-empanelled facilities – however, rules apply as mentioned later in this Brief. 47. Dependent parents are included in the scheme subject to the condition that their income is less than Rs 1500/- per month. Likewise, dependant unemployed sons upto 25 years of age, and unmarried and unemployed daughters, are also included. Physically and mentally challenged children are covered for life, even after the death of parents. Eligibility for Membership 48. All ESM pensioners of the Armed Forces who are in receipt of any form of pension/disability pension, and widows/family pensioners in receipt of pension, are eligible to become members of the scheme. A detailed policy letter is under issue clarifying eligibility pre-conditions for membership. Incidentally, there is NO restriction on age or medical condition of the pensioner at the time of application. 49. Besides the ESM pensioner himself/herself, the following members of his/her family are also covered by ECHS:- (a) Spouse. (b) Unemployed son, below 25 years. (c) Unemployed or unmarried daughter and unemployed divorced/Widow daughter. (d) Dependent parents whose income is less than Rs 1500/- pm. (e) Mentally/Physically Challenged children for life. Certificate from a Specialist in a Service Hospital is mandatory in such cases. Note: Wherever there is a doubt about eligibility, the case shall be referred to the Central Organisation through Regional Centres. Under NO circumstances will non-entitled members be enrolled. In all such cases, it is made clear to the applicant that his/her application is accepted provisionally. 50. Enrolling into the ECHS is voluntary/optional for those ESM pensioners, and for widows/family pensioners of deceased soldiers, who retired on or before 31 March 2003. Those who opt NOT to join the scheme will continue to draw Rs 100.00 pm medical allowance, and continue to avail the limited medical facilities provided under RMSAF, as hitherto fore. They shall NOT be permitted to use any ECHS facilities, in any case. This option of joining the ECHS has to be exercised latest by 31 March 2008, on which date entry to the Scheme will terminate. The ECHS is, however, compulsory for all Services pensioners retiring w.e.f 01 Apr 2003 and their contribution shall be deducted at source by PCDA (Pensions), prior to retirement. PART 3 Procedure for joining ECHS (pre 01 April 2003 pensioners) 51. STEP 1 (a) Pensioner/widow/family pensioner or his/her representative can collect computerised Application form from nearest Station HQs of Army/Navy/Air Force on payment of Rs 5.00. The forms have got detailed instructions as to how a pensioner or a widow, or family pensioner are to fill these up, and the list of documents to be attached. Pensioners who submitted forms in April – May 2003 are NOT required to submit computerized forms afresh. (b) Forms are also available on internet websites, which are,