Exservicemen are also eligible to get Fixed Medical Allowance subject ot fulfill certain categories. It is well known that those reired after 01.04.2003 are compulsory member of ECHS and they must apply for ECHS membership before/after retirement. However, in certain cases and pre 01.04.2003 retirees are entitled to get Fixed Medical Allowance at the present rate . Detailed info is given in the Govt letter issued by CO ECHS are here –
No.1 (10)/2009-D(Pen/Policy)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare
New Delhi-110011
Dated: 29th August 2017
To
The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff
SUB: GRANT OF FIXED MEDICAL ALLOWANCE (FMA) TO THE ARMED FORCES PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS IN SUCH CASES WHERE DATE OF RETIREMENT IS PRIOR TO 1.4.2003 AND WHO HAD OPTED NOT TO AVAIL MEDICAL FACILITIES AT OPD OF ARMED FORCES HOPITALS/MI ROOMS AND ARE NOT MEMBERS OF ECHS.
Sir,
The undersigned is directed to refer to the Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence letter No. 1(1)/98/D(Pen/Sers) dated 15th June 1998 and letter No. 1(10)/09-D(Pen/Policy) dated 12th January 2011 & No. 1(10)/2009-D(Pen/Policy) dated 5th May 2015 regarding grant of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) of Rs.5001– p.m. with effect from 19.11.2014 to Armed Forces Pensioners/Family’ Pensioners for meeting expenditure on day to day medical expenses that do not require hospitalization unless the individual had opted for OPD treatment in Armed Forces Hospitals/ M.I. Rooms and convey the sanction of the President for enhancement of the amount of FMA from Rs. 500/- to Rs. 1000/-per month. The other conditions for grant of FMA shall continue to be in force.
- Ex-Servicemen who retired on or after 01 Apr 2003 have to-become
member of ECHS compulsorily and are not eligible to draw Fixed Medical Allowance. These orders applicable only in such cases, where the date of retirement is prior to 1.4.2003 and who had opted not to avail medical facilities at OPD of Armed Forces Hospitals/ MI rooms and are not members of ECHS. - These orders will take effect from 01.07.2017.
- All other conditions as laid down in Government of India letter No. 1(1)/98-
D(Pen/Sers) dated 15th June 1998 will continue to apply. - This issue with the concurrence of Ministry of Defence(Finance/Pension)
vide their ID No. 32(9)/2010/Fin/Pen dated 16 August 2017. - Hindi version will follow.
Yours faithfully
(Manoj Sinha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
You may read the original copy of the letter published by the CO ECHS here – https://desw.gov.in/sites/default/files/2017.08.29-Pen-Policy.pdf
