Veterans can now file reimbursement to ECHS for medical bills of their dependents

LUCKNOW: In a major relief to veterans, the union ministry of defence has allowed for reimbursement against the medical bills of dependents treatment in military hospitals.
A notification for the same has been issued in the third week of the last month.
According to the new order, all medical expense incurred during the treatment of the dependents (parents, children below the age of 25-years and unmarried daughter) at the military hospital, has to be paid by veteran to hospital, however the bill will be 100% reimbursed by ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme).
After the discharge, the ECHS beneficiary will upload the bill on https://www.echsbpa.utiitsl.com/ECHS/ to claim the amount. Earlier, there was no clause of reimbursement.
Speaking to TOI, a very senior official of a military hospital said, “This was much needed, and we welcome the step taken by the ministry of defence.”
“It was very illogical to charge for treatment of veteran’s dependent and not reimburse, even when empaneled private hospitals bills (often cashless) were being reimbursed by ECHS. Often there are cases, where a veteran's dependent is brought into military hospital’s ICU, which is much closer to private hospital--- in that case the veteran was being charged, but he/she was not reimbursed even though charges of medical bill were less in comparative to empaneled private hospital. This new order will release the financial burden from veterans, "said the officer.
Military hospitals won’t charge for specialist doctor fees, but will charge for bed, food, medicine and treatment.
It’s important to note that a cashless ECHS facility for treatment in military hospitals is still available for veterans and their spouses.