Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS Card)

The eligibility criteria for ECHS are as listed below: 

For Ex-servicemen:  

• Membership eligibility under the scheme is open to all Ex-servicemen (ESM) receiving pensions from the Controller of Defence Accounts, including those receiving Disability or Family Pensions, along with their dependents. 
• War widows (Veer Naris) and family members of soldiers who died in war can apply. 
• Recruits who were sent home due to medical conditions during training and get disability pension. 
• Ex-servicemen should not avail benefits from any other Government Medical Scheme. 

For dependents: 

• Spouse of the Ex-Serviceman. 
• Disabled child, brother, or sister with proper disability proof. 
• Unmarried/unemployed daughters or sisters, including widows or divorced women (any age). 
• Unemployed sons (up to 25 years) and minor brothers (up to 18 years). 
• Parents who live with the member have income less than Rs.9000 + DA per month. 
• PAN card needed for all dependents above 18 years. 
• Yearly self-declaration needed for children above 18 years (except for disabled). 

Dependents Covered under ECHS

Spouse:

1. Legally wedded wife, including multiple wives, with the condition that the ESM pensioner is responsible for her maintenance if living separately. Remarriage of the spouse disqualifies eligibility.
2. For plural marriages permitted by rules:
   1. Unit Part II Orders must publish necessary casualties for entering into plural marriage, with all wives' names recorded in the Service Discharge Book or Service Particulars Retired Officers booklet.
   2. All wives' names must be recorded in the Pension Payment Order (PPO) for the Family Pension grant.
   3. In the case of widows, wives must receive a share of Family Pension, supported by evidence from the PPO.
   4. War widows who remarry remain eligible, along with their children from the first marriage, while their new husband is not eligible.

Family Pensioner:

This refers to the legally wedded spouse of Armed Forces personnel, as recorded in service documents, who becomes eligible for a family pension upon the personnel's death during service or after retirement. It also includes children eligible for a family pension after the passing of a parent drawing a pension and the dependent parents of a deceased unmarried soldier who receive a family pension.

Dependent, Unemployed & Unmarried Daughter or Daughters:

1. Details must be present in the pensioner's service record.
2. Eligible until employment or marriage, whichever comes first.
3. Dependent daughters, whether divorced, abandoned, separated, or widowed, with income less than Rs. 9000 per month (excluding DA), are eligible.
4. The Person with Disability (PwD) Act applies, with exceptions for married daughters eligible under PwD.

Dependent, Unemployed & Unmarried Son or Sons:

1. Details must be present in the pensioner's service record.
2. Eligible until employment, marriage, or reaching 25 years of age, whichever comes first.
3. Additional white card facilities are available for critical disabilities under the PwD Act.

Stepchildren or Adopted Children:

Includes stepchildren, legally adopted children, or children taken as wards, living with and treated as natural-born children by the government servant.

Dependent Parents:

1. Parents (excluding stepparents) are eligible if residing with the pensioner and their combined income does not exceed Rs. 9,000 per month (excluding DA).
2. Parents of unmarried deceased soldiers, eligible NOK of unmarried deceased soldiers, and adoptive parents are also eligible.
3. In the case of female employees, parents or parents-in-law are eligible based on dependency and residence conditions.

Dependent Sisters:

Unmarried, divorced, abandoned, or separated sisters with incomes less than Rs. 9000 per month (excluding DA) are eligible, irrespective of age.

Dependent Brothers:

1. Minor brothers until they reach adulthood.
2. Physically or mentally permanently disabled brothers, unmarried and wholly dependent, with income less than Rs. 9000 per month (excluding DA). 

Minor Children of Widowed or Separated Daughters:

Children of widowed or separated daughters, dependent on the ECHS beneficiary and residing with them, are eligible up to 18 years of age.

Features and Benefits of the ECHS card

The features and benefits of the ECHS card are as listed below:

1. Cashless Treatment: Beneficiaries can access treatment at empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centers without upfront payments, ensuring financial ease and focus on health.
2. Comprehensive Coverage: Includes services like diagnostics, inpatient care, specialist consultations, and pharmacy benefits to meet diverse healthcare needs.
3. Wide Network: Offers treatment through an extensive network of empanelled hospitals, polyclinics, and pharmacies for added convenience.
4. Preventive Care: Supports proactive health management through preventive healthcare programs.
5. Portability: Services are accessible nationwide, allowing beneficiaries to receive care regardless of location.

How to Register via ECHS Website

To apply for the ECHS 64 KB smart card, you need to visit the official ECHS website. A step-by-step procedure for the same is mentioned below:

Step 1: Visit the ECHS official website.

Step 2: Under the ‘Useful Links’ section, click on the ‘ECHS Smart Card Online Application’ option.

Step 3: The ECHS Smart Card website will appear on the screen.

Step 4: Under ‘Select Category,’ a dropdown menu will display the following options:

1. Ex-Servicemen (Pensioner)
2. Spouse Marital Discord Case
3. World War II Retiree
4. SSCOs Retiree
5. PMRs Retiree (Non-Pensioner)

1. ECOs Retiree

Step 5: Enter the ‘Ex-Serviceman Name.’

Step 6: Under ‘Select Service Category,’ a dropdown menu will display the following options:

1. Army
2. Navy

1. Air Force
2. TA - Territory Army
3. DSC - Defence Security Corps
4. SFF - Spiral Frontier Force
5. ICG - Indian Coast Guard

Documents Required for ECHS Card

After you register for the ECHS card, you will have to fill out an application form. Here are the documents you will need to upload:

1. Aadhaar card
2. PAN card
3. Signature or thumb impression
4. Discharge book

1. Recently taken Passport size photograph 

1. Death certificate of ESM (subject to Ex-Serviceman's demise) 

1. Old Temporary Slip copy 

1. Matriculation Certificate or Birth certificate (if dependent brother / sister) 

1. Certificate from DPDO or bank showing FMA is not taken 

1. Old smart card copy 

1. Blood group 

1. Bank account statement 

1. Pension Payment Order Number (PPO) 

Guidelines for Passport-sized Photograph 

Mentioned below are the guidelines that an individual needs to follow while clicking a passport-size photograph:  

1. The photo size must be 51mm x 51mm (2x2 inches), with a plain white background. 

1. The photo should have been taken in the last 6 months with a natural color showing the skin tone clearly. 

1. The head must be centered with the head size between 35mm to 40mm. 

1. The expression should be neutral, with no smile, and eyes must be open. 

1. Glasses are allowed only if they are prescribed medically, and there should be no glare or reflections. 

1. No headgear is allowed unless it is for religious purposes, and it must not cover the face. 

1. No objects (like toys or hands) should be visible in photos of infants, and infants under 12 months are allowed if their eyes are closed. 

1. Children who are more than one year old must have open eyes, Plus, their head and shoulders should be centered in the photo. 

1. Old, black-and-white, or filtered photos are not allowed. 

How to Apply for ECHS Card Online

The process to apply for the ECHS card is mentioned below:

Step 1: Click the drag-down icon to select the ‘Application Category’ option.

Step 2: In the ECHS application portal, fill out the Ex-Serviceman details.

Step 3: Fill in the required details such as name, mobile number, service number and so on. 

Step 4: Create the new password and fill in the captcha code. 

Step 5: Review the details and click on the ‘Register’ option. 

Step 6: You can login anytime by filling your mobile number and password to online apply for ECHS smart card application 

Note: The registration details are valid for only 15 days and after 15 days you have to create a new registration if you haven’t filled in the form or completed the payment. 

How to Log into ECHS Website

You can avail yourself of the services offered under the ECHS by logging into the ECHS website with your login ID and password. The process to log into the ECHS website is outlined below:

Step 1: Visit the ECHS official website.

Step 2: A pop-up will appear on the screen. Click ‘Ok’ on it.

Step 3: Click on the ‘Already Registered. Click to the Login’ option.

Step 4: Choose ‘Country’ and enter your registered mobile number and password.

Step 5: Enter the verification code and click on the ‘Login’ button.

How to Register through ECHS Beneficiary App

You can download the ECHS Beneficiaries App for your smartphone to apply for the ECHS card. Following the ECHS registration process, you will continue to get update notifications. The mobile app also provides the following features:

1. Track the ECHS online application status
2. Scheduling appointments online
3. Address, phone number, and other information about polyclinics
4. Information on referrals for consultation

How to Check the Status of ECHS Card

You must download the ECHS Beneficiaries App in order to check the status of your ECHS card. Here is how you can check the status:

Step 1: Open the ECHS Beneficiaries App and tap on the ‘Card Status’ option.

Step 2: Type in the ECHS smart card application number and registered mobile number.

Step 3: The status of your ECHS card will be displayed on the screen.

Dispatch of ECHS Card

The application process for the ECHS smart card involves filling out and verifying forms online. The Regional Centres receive information about the ECHS beneficiary and send it to the Station Headquarters. Once the Station Headquarters receive the card, the beneficiary will receive an OTP. The beneficiary needs to provide the OTP in order to obtain the ECHS smart card from Station Headquarters. Old cards and temporary slips must also be collected by Station Headquarters.

How to Activate the Smart Card 

The activation of Smart Cards must be done before using ECHS facilities at Polyclinics and with the registered mobile number linked to the card. You can follow the steps given below in order to activate your card. 

1. You will receive an SMS for collecting Smart Card from Station HQs, a contact number will be provided in the same SMS. 

1. Send an SMS from your registered mobile number linked to your Smart Card in the format: <ACTIVATE> <SPACE> <CARD No> to that number. 

1. You will get a confirmation SMS once your Smart Card is activated successfully. 

ECHS Helpline Number

If you have any issues related to your application form or logging into the ECHS portal, you can reach out to the ECHS helpline in the following ways:

1. WhatsApp number: +91-7703818578/7701976194/8448086480/8448086481/ 8448086482

1. Email address: echs@sourceinfosys.com

In case of any other concerns or queries, call on the toll-free number mentioned below:

1. 1800 114 115