The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) has released the Revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) – April 2026, introducing updated rules for treatment, hospital admissions, referrals, package rates, emergency care, approvals, cancer treatment, billing norms, and beneficiary rights.
This updated SOP is highly important for Ex-Servicemen (ESM), their dependents, empanelled hospitals, military hospitals, and ECHS polyclinics.
In this article, we explain the new ECHS SOP 2026 in simple language.
What is ECHS?
ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) is a healthcare scheme providing cashless and capless medical treatment to:
- Retired Armed Forces personnel
- Defence pensioners
- Eligible family dependents
Treatment is available through:
- ECHS Polyclinics
- Military Hospitals
- Empanelled Private Hospitals
- Government Hospitals
Who is Eligible for ECHS Treatment?
The following persons are authorized:
✅ Retired personnel of:
- Indian Army
- Indian Navy
- Indian Air Force
✅ Their eligible dependents with valid ECHS Smart Card.
Major Highlights of ECHS Revised SOP April 2026
1. No Charges for ECHS Beneficiaries
ECHS patients cannot be charged for:
- Consultation
- Investigations
- Surgery
- Procedures
Unless:
- The patient voluntarily chooses a higher-cost implant or upgraded facility not covered under ECHS/CGHS rates.
2. Priority Treatment Mandatory
All empanelled hospitals must give priority treatment to ECHS beneficiaries.
3. Types of ECHS Cards
A) General Smart Card
This is the standard ECHS smart card allowing:
- Cashless treatment
- Full benefits
B) Reimbursement Only Card
This card holder:
- Must pay first
- Later claim reimbursement
No automatic cashless entitlement.
C) Temporary Slip
Issued until smart card is ready.
Validity:
- 6 months
- Extendable
D) New Born Baby
Newborn child can receive treatment on mother’s ECHS card for 3 months.
Referral Rules Under ECHS 2026
Normal Referral Validity
Referral from ECHS polyclinic remains valid for:
✅ 3 Months
Special Cases Referral Validity
For:
- Cancer patients
- Dialysis patients
- Diabetes patients
- Hypertension patients
- Cardiac patients
Validity:
✅ 180 Days
Senior Citizens Big Relief (70+)
ECHS beneficiaries aged 70 years or above can directly visit empanelled hospitals for:
- Consultation
- Tests
- Investigations
Without referral.
However, admission still requires approval/IPD referral.
Admission Rules in Hospitals
Normal Admission
Requires:
- IPD Referral
Emergency Admission
No referral required.
Emergency Cases Covered
Immediate admission allowed in cases like:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Respiratory failure
- Severe injury
- Accident trauma
- Snake bite
- Poisoning
- Acute kidney failure
- Septicemia
- Life-threatening condition
Geo-Tagged Photo Mandatory
Hospitals must upload:
✅ Geo-tagged patient photo at:
- Admission
- Discharge
- Emergency cases
This is now mandatory for claim processing.
Cancer Patients Major Change
As per latest rules:
ECHS authorities are responsible for supplying:
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Immunotherapy drugs
If unavailable:
Hospital can provide medicine and claim reimbursement.
Dental Treatment Rules
Authorized dental treatment includes:
- Consultation
- X-Ray
- Oral surgery
- Restorative dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Prosthodontics
Important:
❌ Dental implants are not allowed under ECHS.
Eye Treatment Rules
For Intravitreal Injections, empanelled hospitals can seek online approval directly.
Patients need not run to polyclinic.
Ward Entitlement as Per Rank
General Ward
For:
- Sepoy / Naik / Havildar / equivalent ranks
Semi-Private Ward
For:
- JCOs / Honorary Officers / equivalent
Private Ward
For:
- Commissioned Officers
Package Stay Duration
ECHS package rates cover:
| Treatment Type | Stay Covered |
| Super Specialty | 12 Days |
| Major Surgery | 7 Days |
| Laparoscopic Surgery | 3 Days |
| Minor Surgery / Day Care | 1 Day |
What Package Rate Includes
ECHS package covers:
✅ Room Rent
✅ Nursing Charges
✅ ICU Charges
✅ OT Charges
✅ Doctor Visit Charges
✅ Medicines
✅ Investigations
✅ Oxygen
✅ Physiotherapy
✅ Monitoring Charges
✅ Diet Charges
What Cannot Be Charged Separately
Hospitals cannot separately bill for:
❌ Gloves
❌ Syringes
❌ ECG Electrodes
❌ Ventilator Tubing
❌ Infusion Pumps
❌ Mattress Charges
❌ Patient Reports
❌ Medical Films/CD
❌ Basic Consumables
Non-Reimbursable Personal Items
ECHS does not cover:
❌ Soap
❌ Shampoo
❌ Toothpaste
❌ Diapers
❌ Cosmetic Items
❌ Telephone Charges
❌ TV Charges
❌ Attendant Food
❌ Mortuary Charges
Outsourcing of Tests Restricted
Hospitals generally cannot send ECHS patients elsewhere for tests.
If facility unavailable:
Hospital must arrange test at its own expense.
Multiple Surgery Reimbursement
If multiple surgeries in one OT session:
- First Surgery = 100% rate
- Second = 50%
- Third onward = 25%
Important Warning to Hospitals
Emergency admission misuse by hospitals or beneficiaries may invite strict action.
Official ECHS Website
For latest policies and updates:
Final Conclusion
The ECHS Revised SOP April 2026 is a major reform for transparent, digital, cashless treatment of Ex-Servicemen and their families.
Key gains include:
✅ Better emergency treatment
✅ Senior citizen direct OPD access
✅ Geo-tag verification system
✅ Clear package billing rules
✅ No hidden charges
✅ Faster approvals
✅ Cancer medicine support
All ECHS beneficiaries should understand these new rules to fully utilize their healthcare rights.
Know more on this Matter
ECHS SOP 2026, ECHS revised rules April 2026, ECHS new guidelines, ECHS smart card benefits, ECHS hospital admission rules, ECHS package rates 2026, ECHS emergency treatment rules, ECHS beneficiaries latest update