Medical & ECHS FAQ

The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) is a healthcare scheme for retired Armed Forces pensioners and their eligible dependents, providing medical cover through ECHS Polyclinics, service hospitals and empanelled hospitals.

Generally, retired/released Armed Forces personnel drawing a pension, and their eligible dependents. Serving personnel are covered separately by Armed Forces Medical Services, and Defence Civilians are generally covered under CGHS/CS(MA) rules. Use the ECHS Eligibility Checker on this site for a quick read on your own case.

Commonly: a spouse; an unmarried, unemployed son below a commonly-cited age ceiling; an unmarried, unemployed daughter (no age ceiling); and parents who are financially dependent on, and residing with, the primary member. Use the Dependent Eligibility Checker on this site to check a specific family member.

Generally yes if the hospital is ECHS-empanelled, especially with a valid prior referral for planned treatment. Non-empanelled private hospitals are generally reimbursable only for genuine emergencies, assessed case-by-case. Use the Medical Reimbursement Eligibility Guide for guidance by treatment and hospital type.

Commonly: your ECHS Card, valid referral (where applicable), original bills and receipts, prescriptions, diagnostic reports, and a discharge summary for hospitalisation. Use the Medical Documents Checklist on this site to track what you have ready.

This FAQ provides general guidance only — for anything specific to your case, contact your nearest ECHS Regional Centre or Polyclinic, or your service HQ pension/medical cell.