ECHS: Irregularities in Medical Treatment

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Defence 

17-December-2013

Irregularities in Medical Treatment 

In a special audit drive undertaken by all the Principal Controllers of Defence Accounts (PCsDA) to examine the bill processing procedures of Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), PCDA, Western Command had raised observations relating to excess payment to ECHS empanelled hospitals amounting to Rs.15 crores. All the observations raised by the PCDA, Western Command were thoroughly analysed by Regional Centre, Chandigarh and it was noticed that most of the observations raised were due to incorrect interpretation of the policies. Wherever observations of the Controller of Defence Accounts were conceded to, the overpayments have been duly deducted from the concerned hospitals and suitable warnings issued to them. 

The rates laid down by Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) for various medical procedures are the same for all categories of ECHS beneficiaries and payments are made accordingly. 

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Tufani Saroj in Lok Sabha today.