AFVOA Newletters of Year 2003

Page 112 of 170 Chennai and Kochi Tamilnadu and Kerala CDA, Chennai 4016000007 (b) You are requested to insert the requisite data against “EX-SERVICEMEN CONTRIBUTORY HEALTH SCHEME (ECHS)” and credit the amount as Defence Department receipt pertaining to the ___________________ and also insert in the line – Forwarded to ________. http://indianarmy.nic.in/arechs.htm FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) Question No 1. What is the Ex Service Men Contributory Health Scheme? Answer. ECHS was authorised by Government of India on 30 Dec 2002, and has come into force on 01 April 2003. It is a publicly funded medicare scheme for those who are ex- servicemen and pensioners & their eligible dependants, and will provide comprehensive, quality treatment through out-patient treatment at 227 Polyclinics all over India, and in- patient hospitalization & treatment through military hospitals and out-sourced civil hospitals & diagnostic centers at all these 227 locations, which will be empanelled for the purpose. Treatment/hospitalization in Service Hospitals will be available to ECHS members, subject to availability of speciality, medical staff and bed space. Question No 2. Who are eligible to become ECHS members? Answer. (a) Ex Servicemen (ESM) drawing Pension/disability pension and their family members, as indicated below. (b) Widows drawing family pension. (c) Ex-Servicemen drawing disability pension. Question No 3. Is there any age limit or medical condition for joining the ECHS? Answer. Joining the ECHS is voluntary for those ESM/eligible persons who retired on or before 31 March 2003. There is no restriction on age or medical condition at the time of seeking membership or joining the scheme. ESM/eligible persons have upto 31 March 2008 to exercise their option (that is, within the next 5 years). Entry to the scheme shall close on 31 March 2008, after which the option cannot be exercised. Question No 4. Who are the family members covered? Answer. Spouse, unemployed son(s) below 25 years, unemployed and unmarried daughter(s), dependant parents whose combined income is less than Rs 1500/- pm, and mentally/physically challenged children for life. Question No 5. What happens to those servicemen who retire on after 01 Apr 03? Answer. They compulsorily become members of ECHS on retirement, and their subscription will be directly deducted from their terminal benefits, and this fact will be indicated in their PPO. Such personnel will, however, have to comply with requirements of submitting an application and an affidavit. Question No 6. What happens to the monthly medical allowance of Rs. 100/-, which is applicable now, for those retired personnel who join the ECHS scheme? Will they still continue to get it? Answer. No, they have to forfeit it. However, they shall continue to draw this till they receive their ECHS membership cards, at which time the ECHS Central Org shall inform CDA (P) to stop payment.