The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) provides essential medical services to veterans and their dependents. However, many struggle with the claim procedure, leading to potential rejection due to documentation errors or lack of awareness. This guide simplifies the ECHS claim process, breaking it down into three key parts:
Medicine Claims – How to claim reimbursement for medicines not available in ECHS dispensaries.
Travel Reimbursement – Claiming travel costs for treatment in another city.
Checking Claim Status – Tracking the status of submitted claims online.
Let’s explore each step in detail to ensure a smooth and hassle-free claim process.
Part 1: Medicine Claim Procedure
If a required medicine is unavailable at the ECHS dispensary, veterans can purchase it from a civil chemist and claim reimbursement. There are two situations where this applies:
1. When Medicine is Not Available in ECHS Dispensary
- Visit the ECHS doctor, who prescribes the required medicines.
- Go to the ECHS dispensary and check availability.
- If unavailable, the dispensary stamps “Not Available (NA)” on the prescription.
- Purchase the medicine from a civil chemist and submit a claim.
2. When Referred to a Civil Hospital
- The ECHS doctor refers the patient to a civil hospital.
- The civil hospital doctor prescribes medicines, but their prescription is not valid for reimbursement.
- The veteran must return to the ECHS doctor with the civil hospital prescription.
- The ECHS doctor issues a new prescription, which, if marked “NA”, allows for reimbursement.
Documents Required for Medicine Claim Submission
To file a claim, the following four essential documents must be attached:
- ECHS Card Copy – Proof of eligibility.
- Cancelled Cheque – For direct reimbursement into the bank account.
- ECHS Doctor’s Prescription with NA Stamp – Mandatory for approval.
- Bill from Civil Chemist with Stamp – If the bill is over ₹5000, a Revenue Stamp must be affixed.
Once all documents are filled and attached, submit them to the ECHS polyclinic for processing.
Part 2: Travel Reimbursement Claim
In some cases, specialized treatment is not available in the local city, requiring veterans to travel to another city for medical care. In such situations, travel reimbursement can be claimed under ECHS Claims.
Eligibility for Travel Reimbursement
- The ECHS referral form must mention eligibility for travel reimbursement.
- Both the patient and an attendant (if required) are eligible for reimbursement.
- The travel entitlement remains the same as pre-retirement. Example: If the veteran was entitled to AC II Tier travel during service, the same class is allowed for reimbursement.
Documents Required for Travel Reimbursement
- ECHS Referral Form – Must indicate travel reimbursement eligibility.
- Travel Tickets (Train/Bus/Air) – Original or printout required.
- Discharge Summary from the Hospital – Proof of treatment received.
ECHS Circular on Travel Reimbursement
ECHS issued a circular on 30 April 2024 outlining the detailed ECHS Claim procedure. Veterans can download the letter from the ECHS website or the ECHS mobile app for reference. Once all documents are ready, submit the claim at the ECHS polyclinic for approval and reimbursement.
Part 3: Checking ECHS Claim Status Online
After submitting the claim, veterans can track the ECHS claim status through:
1. ECHS Mobile App
- Download and log in to the ECHS Beneficiary mobile app.
- Click on “Claim Status” to check the progress.
2. ECHS Official Website
- Visit the ECHS official website and log in.
- Navigate to “Claim Status” and enter PPO or Claim Number to track updates.
By regularly checking the status, veterans can stay informed about their claim’s progress and take necessary action if required.
Summary: Key Takeaways
- Medicine Reimbursement: Only ECHS-stamped prescriptions marked “NA” are valid for claims.
- Travel Reimbursement: Travel expenses for ECHS-referred treatment in another city can be claimed.
- Claim Tracking: Use the ECHS app or website to monitor claim status.
Final Words
Understanding the ECHS claim procedure is crucial to avoid rejections and delays. Veterans and their families should always:
✔ Keep copies of essential documents.
✔ Follow ECHS guidelines strictly.
✔ Submit claims promptly.
For further updates on ECHS claim policies, stay informed through official channels and ECHS advisories.
Jai Hind!
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Dear Sir, Kindly advice -incase of admission for a surgery into the empennelled hospital,with ECHS Referral ,all medicines, treatments etc.can it be claimed ? Bcoz patient is not in a state to travel & has no-one to assist for the movement . Secondly, after discharge for how many months he an directly refer to the empennelled hospital/surgeon for advice? Do we have to still go to ECHS clinic for referrals? It’s too painful for a person who has no one to assist him. He can’t run around for bills as the hospital is almost 15-20 kms away. Rgds,
Admission for Surgery with ECHS Referral:
If the patient is admitted to an empanelled hospital with a valid ECHS referral, all expenses related to treatment, surgery, medicines, investigations, and hospitalization will be cashless and covered as per ECHS guidelines. The hospital is not to charge the beneficiary for any service included in the approved treatment package.
Patient Unable to Travel:
In genuine medical emergencies, the patient may be admitted directly to the nearest empanelled hospital without prior referral. The hospital will provide emergency intimation to the respective ECHS Polyclinic within 24 hours for approval.
Post-Discharge Follow-Up:
A single ECHS referral remains valid for 90 days and allows up to six (06) consultations with the specialist for the same ailment during this period. After 90 days or after completing 6 visits (whichever is earlier), a new referral will be required from the ECHS Polyclinic.
Satisfied namaste
My wife was diagnosed having Blepharospasm by the nutritionist of an ECHS empanelled hospital. The nutritionist prescribed an injection. Our ECHS doctor wrote the same by hand on the prescription sheet as the drug is not listed in the CDL of ECHS. I purchased the drug, handed over to the nutritionist who then administered the same on my wife. The injection coated more than Rs 12000/=. I put up for the claim but it has been rejected reasoning that the drug or its substitutes is not listed in the CDL and also that our ECHS doctors are prohibited to prescribe non CDL drugs.
I am at a loss. What’s the solution ?
Sir, we understand your concern and the difficulty faced in this situation.
As per the existing ECHS policy, only drugs listed in the Central Drug List (CDL) are eligible for reimbursement. Since the prescribed injection is not part of the CDL, the claim has been rightly rejected as per current norms.
If this was a one-time expense of around ₹12,000, it may be practical to let it go rather than pursue lengthy correspondence. However, if the injection is required repeatedly or involves significant recurring expenditure, you may consider taking further action:
Send a legal notice addressed to the ECHS BPA (Bill Processing Agency), your ECHS Polyclinic, and the Station Headquarters / Regional Centre ECHS, clearly stating the facts and your claim.
Wait for 15 days for a response.
In case of no reply or unsatisfactory response, you may file a complaint in the District Consumer Court on grounds of medical service deficiency and financial loss.
This approach ensures that your case is placed formally on record and examined through proper legal and administrative channels.
Dear Sir,
Thanks a lot. Firstly I apologise for overlooking a typing mistake before posting in which nutritionist was wrongly mentioned instead of “Neurologist”.
The injection is required to be administered repeatedly after a gap of every 3 to 6 months which the neurologist decides after examining the patient. Starting from Dec 2023, my wife has been administered with this drug 5 times as on date of which three were at the ECHS empanelled hospital, Bhubaneswar and the other two at CH,NC, Udhampur & CHAF Bengaluru. The injections availed at the Command Hospitals were provided by the hospitals Free of cost where as those at the empanelled hospitals were purchased by me and given to the respective neurologist. I claimed for cost of drugs and got the reimbursement in the first two cases but not the last one of May 2025 for the reasons cited in my posting dated 19 Oct.
Points to be noted and considered here are that,
a) The injection which was administered at CHAF, Bengaluru as late as on 11 Sep 2025, the prescription by the neuro Dr GpCapt Goel was handover to me and I was told to collect it from the ECHS Store situated in the campus of CHAF which I did and handedover to the Dr. If this drug or its substitute is not mentioned in the CDL then how was it available in the ECHS Store of Bengaluru?
b) When costly drugs of vital/important nature do not appear in the CDL will the patient or the claimant suffer from monetary and mental agony? Or will it be advisable for the patient not to go in for the medicine and suffer from the ailments?
c) Yes, some officers may resort to a one-time purchase of some costly drugs but not repeatedly. And what about the ORs & their families and Veer Naaris?
Kindly resolve.
Thanking you.
Dear Sir,
Thanks a lot. Firstly I apologise for overlooking a typing mistake before posting in which nutritionist was wrongly mentioned instead of “Neurologist”.
The injection is required to be administered repeatedly after a gap of every 3 to 6 months which the neurologist decides after examining the patient. Starting from Dec 2023, my wife has been administered with this drug 5 times as on date of which three were at the ECHS empanelled hospital, Bhubaneswar and the other two at CH,NC, Udhampur & CHAF Bengaluru. The injections availed at the Command Hospitals were provided by the hospitals Free of cost where as those at the empanelled hospitals were purchased by me and given to the respective neurologist. I claimed for cost of drugs and got the reimbursement in the first two cases but not the last one of May 2025 for the reasons cited in my posting dated 19 Oct.
Points to be noted and considered here are that,
a) The injection which was administered at CHAF, Bengaluru as late as on 11 Sep 2025, the prescription by the neuro Dr GpCapt Goel was handover to me and I was told to collect it from the ECHS Store situated in the campus of CHAF which I did and handedover to the Dr. If this drug or its substitute is not mentioned in the CDL then how was it available in the ECHS Store of Bengaluru?
b) When costly drugs of vital/important nature do not appear in the CDL will the patient or the claimant suffer from monetary and mental agony? Or will it be advisable for the patient not to go in for the medicine and suffer from the ailments?
c) Yes, some officers may resort to a one-time purchase of some costly drugs but not repeatedly. And what about the ORs & their families and Veer Naaris?
Kindly resolve.
Thanking you.