The Cabinet on Thursday approved the grant of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) facilities to World War-II veterans, Emergency Commissioned Officers, Short Service Commissioned Officers and premature retirees. This would benefit over 43,000 individuals who were so far not covered under the ECHS.
Cashless treatment
The facility allows them to get cashless medical treatment through a network of over 425 ECHS polyclinics, 2,500 empanelled private hospitals and all government hospitals throughout the country, subject to certain conditions.
Also, as a special dispensation, war-widows will be exempt from one-time contribution to join the ECHS.
Launched by the NDA government in April 2003, the facility provides quality medicare to 54 lakh ex-servicemen pensioners, their dependants and a few other categories.
