ECHS Referral System

 

🩺 ECHS Referral System: What’s New and How to Use It

The ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) helps veterans and their families get medical treatment at government and private hospitals. In 2025, some important changes were made to make the system easier and faster. Let’s understand them in simple terms.

✅ What’s New in 2025?

• Referral Validity: Now valid for 3 months. You can visit up to 3 specialists and have 6 consultations during this time.

• Senior Citizens (70+ years): No need for a referral for OPD visits or tests like CT, MRI, or PET scans at empanelled hospitals.

• Hospital Admission: Still needs a referral from your ECHS polyclinic.

• Special Tests (above ₹3,000): Need referral unless prescribed by a specialist at an empanelled hospital.

⚠️ Common Problems Veterans Face

Problem	What Happens
Long queues	Waiting hours at polyclinics
No specialist	You may need to visit again or go to another clinic
Hospital confusion	Some hospitals wrongly ask for referrals even for 70+ veterans
Too much paperwork	Forms and approvals can be confusing
Lack of updates	Many veterans don’t know the new rules

🛠️ Simple Solutions

• 🕗 Go Early: Visit polyclinics before 8 AM to avoid rush.

• 📱 Use QR Referrals: Some clinics offer digital referrals—ask your OIC.

• 📞 Know Your Rights: If you’re 70+, you can go directly for OPD and tests.

• 📣 Raise Complaints:

  • Toll-Free: 1800-114-115

  • Email: dircomplaints-mod@nic.in

  • Online:

• 🚨 Emergency Cases: You can get treatment without referral. Just inform your polyclinic within 48 hours.

📣 Share Your Experience

Have you faced issues or found smart ways to handle ECHS referrals? Share your story with Sainik Darpan. Your voice helps others and improves the system for all veterans.

💡 Tip: Keep a copy of your referral and prescriptions. It helps during follow-ups.

Website : https://www.echs.gov.in/

Filling up of Application Form, not able to login, not able to open portal.: echs[at]sourceinfosys[dot]com

WhatsApp on
+91-7703818578 / 7701976194 / 8448086480 / 8448086481.

For any other issues please call on Toll Free No : 1800 114 115 

ECHS Login

ECHS Login

Introduction

The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) was launched by the Indian government in 2003 to provide healthcare benefits to retired armed forces personnel and their dependents. The scheme is designed to provide cashless medical treatment to eligible beneficiaries through a network of ECHS hospitals and empanelled private hospitals across the country. ECHS Login is an online portal that allows beneficiaries to access their ECHS profiles and avail various services offered under the scheme. In this article, we will explore the various features of ECHS Login and how to use it.

Registration Process for ECHS Login

To access ECHS Login, the first step is to register on the ECHS website. The registration process is simple and can be completed in a few steps. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to register on ECHS Login:

Step 1: Go to the official website of ECHS (www.echs.gov.in) and click on the “Online Application” button.

Step 2: Click on the “Registration” button to start the registration process.

Step 3: Fill in the required details, including your name, email address, mobile number, and a password of your choice.

Step 4: Verify your mobile number and email address by entering the OTP sent to your registered mobile number and email.

Step 5: Click on the “Submit” button to complete the registration process.

Once you have completed the registration process, you can log in to the ECHS Login portal using your registered email address and password.

Features of ECHS Login

The ECHS Login portal offers a wide range of features to beneficiaries, including the following:

1. View ECHS Profile: Once you have logged in to the ECHS portal, you can view your ECHS profile, which contains details of your family members, medical history, and entitlements.

2. Book Appointments: Beneficiaries can book appointments with ECHS hospitals and empanelled private hospitals through the ECHS Login portal. You can select the hospital of your choice, date, and time of the appointment.

3. Check Prescription Status: If you have been prescribed medication by an ECHS doctor, you can check the status of your prescription through the ECHS Login portal. You can view the details of the medication, including the dosage and frequency.

4. View Medical Reports: Beneficiaries can view their medical reports, including lab reports and diagnostic imaging reports, through the ECHS Login portal.

5. Check Claim Status: If you have submitted a claim for reimbursement of medical expenses, you can check the status of your claim through the ECHS Login portal. You can view the details of the claim, including the amount claimed and the status of the claim.

6. Upload Documents: Beneficiaries can upload their medical documents, including prescriptions and medical reports, to their ECHS profile through the ECHS Login portal.

How to Book an Appointment through ECHS Login

Booking an appointment with an ECHS hospital or empanelled private hospital through the ECHS Login portal is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to book an appointment through ECHS Login:

Step 1: Log in to the ECHS Login portal using your registered email address and password.

Step 2: Click on the “Book Appointment” button on the homepage.

Step 3: Select the hospital of your choice from the list of ECHS hospitals and empanelled private hospitals.

Step 4: Choose the date and time of the appointment.

Step 5: Click on the “Confirm” button to complete the booking process.

Once you have booked an appointment, you will receive a confirmation message on the ECHS Login portal, and you will also receive an SMS on your registered mobile number with the details of the appointment.

How to Check Claim Status through ECHS Login

If you have submitted a claim for reimbursement of medical expenses, you can check the status of your claim through the ECHS Login portal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to check claim status through ECHS Login:

Step 1: Log in to the ECHS Login portal using your registered email address and password.

Step 2: Click on the “Claims” tab on the homepage.

Step 3: Select the claim for which you want to check the status.

Step 4: Click on the “View” button to view the details of the claim.

Step 5: Check the status of the claim. If the claim has been processed, you can view the amount approved for reimbursement.

If you have any queries related to the claim, you can contact the ECHS helpline or the concerned hospital for more information.

How to Upload Documents to ECHS Profile through ECHS Login

Beneficiaries can upload their medical documents, including prescriptions and medical reports, to their ECHS profile through the ECHS Login portal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to upload documents to ECHS profile through ECHS Login:

Step 1: Log in to the ECHS Login portal using your registered email address and password.

Step 2: Click on the “Profile” tab on the homepage.

Step 3: Click on the “Upload Document” button.

Step 4: Choose the type of document you want to upload from the list of options, such as prescription or medical report.

Step 5: Choose the file to upload and click on the “Upload” button.

The document will be uploaded to your ECHS profile, and you can view it anytime you want.

Advantages of ECHS Login

The ECHS Login portal offers several advantages to beneficiaries, including the following:

1. Easy Access: Beneficiaries can access their ECHS profiles and avail various services offered under the scheme from anywhere, anytime through the ECHS Login portal.

2. Time-Saving: The ECHS Login portal allows beneficiaries to book appointments, check claim status, and view medical reports and prescription status in a few clicks, saving them time and effort.

3. Reduced Paperwork: Beneficiaries can upload their medical documents to their ECHS profile through the ECHS Login portal, reducing paperwork and making it easier to manage their medical records.

4. Better Healthcare: The ECHS Login portal helps beneficiaries to access the best healthcare facilities in their area, ensuring that they receive the best medical treatment.

5. Cashless Transactions: The ECHS Login portal enables beneficiaries to avail cashless medical treatment at empanelled hospitals, reducing the financial burden on them.

Conclusion

The ECHS Login portal is a user-friendly platform that allows beneficiaries to access their ECHS profiles and avail various services offered under the scheme. With the help of the ECHS Login portal, beneficiaries can book appointments, check claim status, and view medical reports and prescription status in a few clicks, saving them time and effort. The ECHS Login portal also helps in reducing paperwork, ensuring that beneficiaries can manage their medical records easily. Overall, the ECHS Login portal has proved to be a game-changer in providing healthcare benefits to retired armed forces personnel and their dependents, and it has improved the quality of healthcare services available to them

ECHS Flow Diagram

 

Stents under CGHS

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

17-March-2017 13:25 IST

Stents under CGHS

CGHS does not procure and provide any stents to its beneficiaries directly and reimburses the cost of procedures at rates prescribed by CGHS to empanelled hospitals. The stents and other products, if any, are supplied by hospital concerned to the patient. Further, no complaint about inferior quality stents having been provided has been received from any CGHS beneficiary.

National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has informed the views expressed by some stakeholders during consultations with NPPA that stents supplied to CGHS stream are very basic. The Ministry is vigilant about all the services being provided to CGHS beneficiaries including stents.

The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), ShFaggan Singh Kulaste stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.

Source:pib

Ex-Servicemen health scheme botch-up: CAG raps Def Ministry – The Pioneer

Wednesday, 23 December 2015 | Pioneer News Service | New Delhi

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has pulled up the Defence Ministry for causing a loss of more than Rs105 crore to the Exchequer due to irregularities in the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).

The scheme is cashless wherein the Government pays for medical treatment of veterans and the annual budget is nearly Rs2,600 crore. There are more than 47 lakh beneficiaries of this welfare measure implemented through a network of 426 polyclinics, service hospitals and private empanelled hospitals spread all over the country.

In its report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday regarding Performance Audit of ECHS, the CAG said the audit was the first of its kind since the scheme was implemented in 2003. The Performance Audit pertained to a three-year period from 2012, it said and commented upon the “gloomy picture” of ECHS polyclinics as availability of medicines, medical equipment, manpower with the polyclinics were inadequate.

The report said the Rs105-crore loss occurred due to irregular payment of unaccounted bills involving double payments against a particular, or duplicate bills. The CAG also highlighted the “unethical” practices adopted by empanelled hospitals such as raising inflated bills. Giving an instance, the report said claims amounting to Rs42.67 lakh were raised simultaneously by two empanelled hospitals for the same patient, while he was admitted in one empanelled hospital.

In this regard, the CAG said the Defence Ministry and a company hired by it to issue smart card for ECHS were unable to account for nearly 7,000 cards. While the Ministry said it had issued 42,00,450 cards, the firm maintained it had manufactured only 41,93,019 cards.

The anomaly in these figures indicated that ECHS was holding 7,431 cards in excess, the CAG said and did not rule out misuse of these cards by those not entitled to ECHS benefits. CAG officials said in a particular case, two medical bills were raised on the same day in two different cities on the basis on one card thereby indicating possible fraud.

Elaborating upon the difficulty in tracking these payments, CAG said unlike the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), wherein the records of a beneficiary are stored in one central data, the ECHS works in silos and date record data are maintained separately in different cities.

[Daily Pioneer]

Irregularities reported in health scheme for ex-servicemen

 

The report was based on the results of checks undertaken during 2012-13 to 2014-15

Sahil Makkar  |  New Delhi  December 23, 2015 Last Updated at 00:07 IST

 

The Centre has incurred losses of at least Rs 100 crore in the last three years mainly because of inflated and fake bills produced by empanelled private hospitals, said the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in an audit report on the implementation of ex-servicemen contributory health scheme (ECHS).

CAG officials said this could be the tip of the iceberg. The report was based on the results of checks undertaken during 2012-13 to 2014-15, they said.

The ECHS, similar to the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), was launched for the benefit of ex-servicemen and their dependents on April 1, 2003.

The CAG, which audited the scheme for the first time, found that a number of health cards issued to beneficiaries were more than the number of ex-servicemen registered with the office of the managing director, ECHS. These cards were in excess to 7,431. "This not only poses a threat of misuse of the card, but also extra payment to the card manufacturing company, Score Information Technologies," the report noted.
It further said empanelled hospitals were paid additional Rs 23.61 crore for more than 5,000 bills. "We found that 145 bills were paid twice," Deputy CAG Suman Saxena told reporters in a press conference. "Despite several requests, the relevant records were not produced for audit. Audit searched their records and obtained copies of a few bills in which double payments were made. This even the principal controller of defence accounts (PCDA) failed to detect."

The CAG said all these irregularities took place due to inadequate audit by PCDA. The audit report said the ECHS approved 1,088 claims, despite having been rejected by a third party appointed by it to review such claims. The rejected claims were to the tune of Rs 1.16 core.

[Business Standard]

ECHS Guidelines : Oncology Treatment, Pannelled Hospital

GUIDELINES ON ONCOLOGY TREATMENT: RATES FOR CANCER SURGERY FOR EMPANELLED HOSPITALS

Central Organization, ECHS

Adjutant General’s Branch

Integrated Headquarters

Ministry of Defence (Army)

Maude Lines

Delhi Cantt-110010

B/49773/AG/ECHS/Rates/Policy

11-09-2015

IHQ of MoD (Navy)/Dir ECHS (N)
Air HQ (VB)/DPS
HQ Southern Command (A/ECHS)
HQ Eastern Command (A/ECHS)
HQ Western Command (A/ECHS)
HQ Central Command (A/ECHS)
HQ Northern Command (A/ECHS)
HQ South Western Command (A/ECHS)
HQ Andaman & Nicobar Command (A/ECHS)

GUIDELINES ON ONCOLOGY TREATMENT: RATES FOR CANCER SURGERY FOR EMPANELLED HOSPITALS

1. Reference:-

(a) This office letter No B/49773/AG/ECHS/Rates/Policy dt 09 Dec 2014.
(b) CGHS Office Memorandum of No S-11045/36/2012-CGHS (HEC) dt 07 Sep 2015 (Copy attached).

2. Annexure to this office letter under reference as mentioned para 1(a) is revised vide annexure-I of CGHS office memorandum mentioned in para 1(b).

3 These rates will be applicable from 11 Sep 2015.

Sd/-

(Vijay Anand)

Col

Dir (Med)

for MD ECHS

A copy of the Officer Order and rates Cancer Surgery of CGHS are placed on the website  of CGHS :http://msotransparent.nic.in/cghsnew/index.asp

ECHS to issue temporary slips in lieu of Smart Card

Central Organisation,
ECHS Adjutant General’s Branch
Integrated HQ of MoD (Army) Maude Lines
Delhi Cantt – 110 010

Tele: 011-25684645
Telefax: 011-25682392
Email: diritechs-mod@nic.in

B/49711-SC/ AG/ECHS                                                                                      07 Aug 2015

All Regional Centres ECHS

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY REGIONAL CENTRES ECHS ON ISSUE OF TEMPORARY SLIP IN LIEU OF SMART CARD

1. Further to this Organisation letter No. B/49711-SC/ AG/ECHS dated 27 Jul 2015.

2. The format of the Temporary Slip to be given to the beneficiaries till such time the Smart Cards operations resume is enclosed. The same is also available on the ECHS website i.e.www.echs.gov.in and should replace Page No 7 (revised receipt enclosed) of the existing Application Form. The following aspects will be ensured while giving the Temporary Slip:-

(a) A unique Registration would be allocated to each slip. The format of which is enclosed as Appendix A.

(b) The validity of the slip will be of one year from the date of issue. The same should be unambiguously endorsed on the Temporary Slip.

(c) Photographs along with Name and Date of Birth wrt each beneficiary should be endorsed on Slip.

(d) PPO No., Aadhar No., and Mobile No. must be mentioned on the Slip.

(e) Veterans must be encouraged to register for Jeeavan Praman Scheme.

(f) They must be advised to get the slip laminated and keep in safe custody.

3. To ensure integrity of the data on the slip following measure will be taken:-

(a) All issuing authority will ensure that the slip is scanned and a record is kept with them in the PDF format.

(b) The Temporary Slip will be activated only after it has been signed by’ the OIC, Parent Polyclinic and details to be entered into the register maintained for the same at Polyclinics. Format for the same is enclosed (Appx B) All future referrals will be linked to the Unique No recorded at Parent Polyclinics.

(c) All issuing authority will open a Digilocker – Account at http://digilocker.gov.in (procedure for the same is enclosed (Appx C)) and e-sign all uploaded temporary slips. The account will be opened with the Aadhar No. of issuing officer and he shall be responsible for uploading the scanned slips and e-signing it.

(d) In case of loss of the temporary slip the e-signed temporary slip available in the digital locker of the issuing authority will be demanded by the nearest-Stn HQ/Regional centre ECHS after interaction with the issuing authority over email and a printout shall be given to the beneficiary after verifying the credentials and satisfying that the slip has genuinely been lost

4. Reports and Returns wrt Temporary Slip as sought vide our letter referred above must be sent the every month.

5. Forwarded for further action please. 

Dir (Stats & Automation)
for MD ECHS

 

NExCC - National Ex-Servicemen Co-ordination Committee Ernakulam Dist

ECHS Rate Revision

ECHS Revision of Rates for various Treatments

Tele:  25683476

ASCON:  36833

       Central Organisation, ECHS

 Adjutant General’s Branch

Integrated Headquarters

Ministry of Qefence (Army)

Maude Line’s

Delhi Cantt-110010

B/49773/AG/ECHS/Rates/Policy

20 Feb 2015

REVISION OF RATES FOR VARIOUS TREATMENT

PROCEDURES UNDER ECHS

1. Ref this office letter No B/49773/AG/ECHS/Rates/Policy dt 07 Oct 2014 and B/49773/AG/ECHS/Rates/Policy dt 19 Nov 2014

2. CGHS has evised the rates  for various treatment procedures vide their OM No S-11011/48/2014-CGHS (HEC) dt 18 Feb 2015.The rates of under mentioned treatment procedures alongwith their CGHS code are as under:-

Sr. No.	CGHS Code	Treatment Procedure	Current Rate		Revised Rates
			Non-NABH	NABH	Non-NABH	NABH
Gynae & Obst
1	648	RVF Repair	140000	16100	18975	21821
2	1590	USG for Obstetrics–Anomalies scan	323	380	770	887
Nephrology & Urology
1	793	Epididymectomy	8000	9200	15938	18750
2	888	Lithotripsy Extra corporeal shock wave	19000	21850	19550	22483
3	746	Ureteric Catheterization	690	794	8278	10950
4	807	Kidney transplant (Related)	3500	4025	200000	230000
5	808	Kidney transplant (Unrelated including immunosuppressant therapy)	143000	164450	300000	345000
General Surgery
1	372	Secondary suture of wounds	290	334	3400	4000
2	390	Haemorrhoidectomy	2500	2875	20720	24375
3	391	Stappler Haemorrhoidectomy	4025	4629	38000	43700
4	393	Varicose vein surgery; Trendelenburg operation with suturing or ligation.	8625	9919	10000	11500
5	18	Catheterization	83	95	425	500
6	477	Fissure in Ano-Fissurectomy	5750	6613	13800	15870
7	506	Laparoscopic Paraumblical Hernia Repair	12580	14800	17500	20125
Ophthalmology
1	32	Pterygium Surgery	86	99	5500	6325
2	34	Conjunctival wound repair or exploration following blunt trauma	115	132	3300	3795
Imaging Investigations
1	150	CT-orbit and brain	173	199	1600	1840
2	991	Foramen magnum decompression for Chari Malformation	1100	1265	93750	107813
Cardiology
1	534	DVR	53000	60950	155422	178735

2. Reimbursement to beneficiaries/ empanelled hospitals shall be limited to ceiling rate or as per actuals, whichever is lower. The other terms and conditions as regards to CGHS package rates remain unchanged.

3. The revised rates shall come into force for ECHS from the date of issue and shall be in force till further orders and are applicable in all cities.

(Vijay Anand)
Col
Dir (Med)
for MD ECHS

Download B/49773/AG/ECHS/Rates/Policy issued by Ministry of Qefence (Army)