ECHS rates are a function of CGHS rates.

Mail received in response to my letter asking for increase in rates for Dental Treatment in ECHS empaneled hospitals is forwarded herewith for your information:

Dear Brigadier,

The ECHS rates are a function of CGHS rates.  As per extant orders of the MoD, the ECHS uses CGHS rates for payment to empaneled health care organisations.

The issue of low rates and consequent refusal of the health care organisations to empanel with ECHS or provide treatment has been flagged to the MoD since long, based on which the MoD has also taken up case with CGHS in Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) to undertake upward revision of CGHS rates.  The rates were last revised majorly in 2014, although periodic revision of some elements have been carried out.

In a recent meeting held this year by Secretary DESW with DG CGHS, this issue of revision of rates was discussed.  However, DG CGHS did not agree to undertake any mass revision of rates stating that the rates have been arrived at after due deliberations by a committee and individually the hospitals were largely satisfied with the rates.  He also stated that the rates promulgated by CGHS were Gold Standard, adopted by many Govt schemes in the country. An upward revision would have adverse effects on the overall medical inflation in the country affecting the common man.

The ECHS had also taken up for suo moto revision of rates by MoD independent of MoHFW, but the same has not yet been accepted. 

Regards,

Maj Gen NR Indurkar, SM

MD ECHS

Central Org ECHS

AG's Branch

IHQ of MoD (Army)

Thimmaya Marg near Gopinath Circle

Delhi Cantt-10