​ECHSGPT:Veteran Healthcare Assistant (AI Assisted 24x7 Help Desk)

[Chandra Nath]

Dear All,

I am thrilled to announce the following:

ECHSGPT is online now!

How to Access ECHSGPT

1. Open the ChatGPT app (on your phone or computer).
   
   

• If you don’t have it, download from Google Play Store / Apple App Store or go to chat.openai.com.
  
  

2. Log in (you can use Gmail or your email ID).
   
   

3. On the left side, click Explore GPTs.
   
   

4. In the search bar, type ECHSGPT.
   
   

5. Click on ECHSGPT – Veteran Healthcare Assistant.
   
   

To keep it handy, click Pin to Sidebar (like a bookmark).

Important Clickable Links 

Here is the clickable link(You might have to create an account and login, I am not sure though.)

1. ECHSGPT: Veteran Healthcare Assistant (AI Assisted 24x7 Help Desk)
2. Video Overview:
3. Audio Podcast Overview
4. Your Trusted guide to the ECHSGPT:
5. Sample interactions:
6. A Mind Map

Important Note:

1. You may start with this prompt: "Give me top 100 FAQ I can ask the ECHSGPT"
2. Do try to question  ECHSGPT.  in your regional Language !Ensure voice mode is turned on.

Share with any one who is likely to benefit i.e all ECHS beneficiaries for sure.

With sincere regards,

Chandra Nath

7760928824

______________

The Armed Forces Officer 2025

Real courage is found, not in the willingness to risk death, but in the willingness to stand, alone if necessary, against the ignorant and disapproving herd. Jon Roland, 1976

[Chandra Nath]

⚡ Advanced GPT-5 Power Prompts for ECHSGPT

---

1️⃣ Membership & Eligibility

Prompt:
“Summarize ECHS membership rules for (a) veterans, (b) widows, (c) dependent parents, and (d) disabled children. Show in a comparative table with columns: Category | Eligibility | Documents Required | Renewal Rules. Cite brochure/handbook page numbers.”

✅ Output: Structured side-by-side eligibility matrix.

---

2️⃣ ECHS Smart Card Lifecycle

Prompt:
“Create a flowchart of the ECHS Smart Card lifecycle: application, payment, verification, printing, delivery, renewal, and lost/damaged replacement. Mark which steps are done by the veteran, polyclinic, regional centre, and card issuing authority.”

✅ Output: Process flowchart for easy reference.

---

3️⃣ Referral Simulation

Prompt:
“Roleplay as an ECHS polyclinic doctor. I will act as a veteran with knee pain needing surgery. Walk me through how you would: (a) examine, (b) issue referral, (c) route to empanelled hospital, (d) explain costs covered. Then switch to the perspective of the veteran narrating the steps taken.”

✅ Output: 2-perspective simulation (doctor + veteran).

---

4️⃣ Hospital Coverage Comparison

Prompt:
“List 5 major empanelled hospitals in Delhi under ECHS, compare them on: (1) speciality coverage, (2) room rent entitlement, (3) super-speciality treatments available, (4) exclusions. Provide in a table.”

✅ Output: Location-specific hospital comparison.

---

5️⃣ Emergency Scenario Walkthrough

Prompt:
“Explain what happens if a veteran suffers a heart attack while traveling in a non-empanelled city. Step through: immediate treatment, document collection, reimbursement claim, time limits, and escalation if claim is delayed. Present as numbered steps.”

✅ Output: Clear emergency SOP.

---

6️⃣ Reimbursement Filing Guide

Prompt:
“Generate a checklist of documents required for reimbursement claim in case of non-empanelled hospital emergency treatment. Group them into: Patient Documents, Hospital Documents, Financial Documents, Certification. Add timelines for submission.”

✅ Output: Document checklist for claims.

---

7️⃣ Dependent Coverage Edge Cases

Prompt:
“List tricky cases of dependent eligibility — (a) married daughter separated from husband, (b) parent with pension above income ceiling, (c) adopted child, (d) disabled son above 25 years. For each, state if eligible or not, with citation.”

✅ Output: Grey-zone dependency rules clarified.

---

8️⃣ Medicines & Chronic Care

Prompt:
“Summarize ECHS medicine rules for chronic patients: duration of issue (normal vs. pandemic relaxation), collection by representative, alternate brand substitution, and procedure if medicines not available at polyclinic. Show in FAQ format.”

✅ Output: Concise medicine rules.

---

9️⃣ Widow Entitlement Transition

Prompt:
“Explain step-by-step what a widow of an ESM must do to continue ECHS benefits after her husband’s death. Include: documents to submit, card update procedure, renewal validity, and escalation if regional centre delays.”

✅ Output: Survivor benefit guide.

---

🔟 Grievance Escalation Map

Prompt:
“Generate a grievance escalation ladder for ECHS: Polyclinic → Station HQ → Regional Centre → Central Organisation → CPGRAMS. Show timeline for response at each level. Format as a neat flow diagram.”

✅ Output: Escalation roadmap for complaints.

---

1️⃣1️⃣ Cross-Scheme Benchmarking

Prompt:
“Compare ECHS vs CGHS vs Ayushman Bharat in terms of: (1) eligibility, (2) empanelled hospitals, (3) reimbursement timelines, (4) medicines supply, (5) referral system. Present in a 5-column comparative chart.”

✅ Output: Quick comparative policy snapshot.

---

1️⃣2️⃣ Voice-Friendly SOPs

Prompt:
“Rewrite the ECHS claim reimbursement SOP into 12 short spoken steps that can be read aloud to elderly veterans. Use simple language, avoid jargon, and number the steps clearly.”

✅ Output: Audio-ready SOP guide.

Chandra Nath

7760928824

______________

The Armed Forces Officer 2025

My every thought is stealthily copied/sometimes borrowed/mostly stolen/almost always shamelessly misappropriated; none are my own, and hence a crutch by itself! 

[Chandra Nath]

🔥 Power Questions to Challenge ECHSGPT

1. Outstation Emergency in Non-Empanelled Hospital
   “While traveling, I had a heart attack, got treated in a non-empanelled hospital, and paid cash. Build a step-by-step reimbursement plan with timelines, document checklist, admissible heads of claim, and a template appeal if ‘non-emergency’ is cited to reject.”
   Pushes: emergency criteria + timelines + document sufficiency + appeal path.

2. Mid-Treatment Dis-Empanelment
   “My surgery was pre-approved at an empanelled hospital that got dis-empanelled mid-treatment. What gets paid, who pays, and how do I document continuity of care? Provide a letter draft to Regional Centre and a fallback reimbursement path.”
   Pushes: contract continuity + beneficiary protection + documentation.

3. Transplant: Donor Costs & Package Limits
   “For a kidney transplant under an empanelled centre, detail coverage for the donor’s pre-op workup, hospitalisation, consumables/implants, and post-op follow-up. Map package vs. non-package items and how to pre-authorise exceptions.”
   Pushes: nuanced inclusion/exclusion + pre-auth pathways.

4. Dependent Income Turns Ineligible Mid-Year
   “My dependent parent crosses the income ceiling in December. From which date do benefits stop, how do I update the card, and what happens to an ongoing treatment started before ineligibility?”
   Pushes: status change effects + ongoing care protection.

5. Widow Continuation with Name/Record Mismatch
   “After my husband’s demise, my Aadhaar/pension records have a spelling mismatch. Give me a precise widow-continuation checklist, affidavit formats, and whom to approach if card reissuance is held up.”
   Pushes: survivor transition + KYC rectification.

6. Disabled Son >25 Years: Lifelong Eligibility
   “Build a proof checklist for certifying permanent disability for my 28-year-old son, the periodicity of re-validation (if any), and how to handle out-station treatment referrals.”
   Pushes: disability eligibility + evidence standards.

7. Referral Validity & Multi-Specialty Chain
   “Create a decision tree for getting one referral that leads to diagnostics → orthopaedics → anaesthesia fitness → surgery → post-op physio. Where do fresh referrals or endorsements become mandatory?”
   Pushes: referral chaining + validity windows.

8. Cashless Denial at Desk: ‘Package Not Covered’
   “The hospital front desk denied cashless saying ‘no package code’. List on-the-spot actions, who to call, how to convert to approved package/individual line items, and how to record this to avoid later rejection.”
   Pushes: real-time resolution + coding.

9. Mixed Bills: Empanelled + Non-Empanelled
   “My procedure started in an empanelled hospital, but ICU transfer happened to a non-empanelled facility. Split the bills into admissible portions, show calculation method, and produce a covering note for claim.”
   Pushes: proportional adjudication + documentation mapping.

10. High-Cost Implants & Brand Substitution
    “Show me how to ensure admissibility for a specific stent/implant brand when the package has a ceiling. Include pre-auth template, clinical justification notes, and fallback reimbursement if the bill exceeds the cap.”
    Pushes: package ceilings vs. justified exceptions.

11. Ambulance Across Cities (Inter-Facility Transfer)
    “Ambulance shifted me 180 km between hospitals. What is reimbursable (BLS/ALS/km limits/oxygen), what papers must the hospital/ambulance furnish, and how are multiple legs calculated?”
    Pushes: nuanced ambulance rules + rate application.

12. Room Entitlement vs. Upgrade with Co-Pay
    “I’m entitled to a certain room category, but I opted for a higher category. Show cost-sharing logic across bed charges, nursing, OT, implants, and investigations so I don’t lose coverage for everything.”
    Pushes: proration logic + non-denial safeguards.

13. Time-Barred Claim Rescue
    “My claim was filed beyond the stipulated days. Draft a representation citing reasons (ICU, postal delay, bereavement), attach proofs, and build a case for condonation with the right authority chain.”
    Pushes: exception handling + speaking order request.

14. Medicine Supply: Chronic Care + Stock-Outs
    “I’m on lifelong meds. Create a plan covering regular issue duration, attendant-collection, brand substitutions, and what to do when the polyclinic is out of stock (including local purchase/AFMS supply notes).”
    Pushes: continuity of care + supply pathways.

15. Home Isolation (Infectious Disease) Reimbursement
    “I managed COVID-like home isolation with doctor supervision. What parts are reimbursable (consults, monitoring devices, meds), required proofs, and how to pre-empt common rejection reasons?”
    Pushes: non-hospital care adjudication.

16. Tele-Consult + Referral Legality
    “A specialist did a tele-consult and advised admission. Can the polyclinic issue referral based on tele-notes? Provide the exact documentation trail and any limits on tele-referrals.”
    Pushes: evolving care models + documentation sufficiency.

17. Out-of-Station Portability & RC Migration
    “I live 6 months in City A and 6 months in City B. Map how to handle RC/Polyclinic linkage, medicine continuity, and referral portability without repeated KYC hassles.”
    Pushes: portability + duplication avoidance.

18. Appeal after Rejection: Evidence Matrix
    “My reimbursement was rejected for ‘incomplete records’ and ‘non-emergency’. Build an appeal kit: point-wise rebuttal matrix aligned to clauses, missing-doc checklists, and a timeline ladder (PC → RC → Central Org → CPGRAMS).”
    Pushes: structured redressal + clause-based rebuttal.

---

Key Points to Notice

• Each question demands: process flow, calculations, document packs, template letters, and appeal paths.

• ECHSGPT will answer with clause-level citations (document title + section + page) and produce checklists, flowcharts, and drafts ready to use.

• No medical advice—only policy/process guidance and paperwork precision.

---

Next Steps (What you can do now)

1. Pick any 1–2 questions above.

2. Tell me your role (veteran/widow/dependent) and city (for local empanelment nuances).

3. I’ll return a complete, cited playbook: steps, deadlines, forms, templates (letter/appeal), and do/don’t tips—ready to print or share.

---

Escalation & Support

• ECHS Helpline: As listed on the official portal (www.echs.gov.in).

• Regional Centre (RC): Contact details available on the ECHS website.

• Station HQ (SHO): Approach for local administrative support.

• Grievance: CPGRAMS (pgportal.gov.in) for escalation beyond RC/Central Org.

---

Disclaimer

ECHSGPT provides policy/process guidance only—no diagnosis, prescription, or medical advice. Official rules/circulars govern in case of any conflict. For clinical care, please consult your ECHS Polyclinic or an empanelled hospital.

If you tell me which scenario resonates most with your situation, I’ll deliver the full clause-by-clause, page-referenced solution immediately. 

[SANTOSH KUMAR MISHRA]

​ECHSGPT:Veteran Healthcare Assistant Link:

https://chatgpt.com/g/g-68bd2dde93548191bf89f2f00fdb587a-echsgpt-veteran-healthcare-assistant

[Mrityunjay Bhadauria]

This is an amazing project. One feedback/request, most intended users of this app are probably on WhatsApp vs using ChatGPT - I struggled to get this accessed by my father, who is reasonably techsavvy earlier today. Should the team behind ECHSGPT also plan to release a WhatsApp bot sometime in future? I am happy to volunteer time to help build that if needed. 


Thanks, 
Mrityunjay Bhadauria

[Chandra Nath]

Hi Mrityunjay,

Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to provide such thoughtful feedback. It truly means a lot.

Your suggestion about a WhatsApp bot is excellent. You've hit on a core challenge: accessibility for users who aren't comfortable with new apps or browsers. I'm taking your feedback to heart as I work to make ECHSGPT easier for everyone to use.

I'm a sole contributor to this project, and I'm deeply committed to its mission. Your offer to volunteer is incredibly generous, and I'd love to connect with you to explore what that might look like.

As you know, ECHSGPT is an AI-powered app that can be accessed on any web browser from a desktop, laptop, or smartphone. It's designed to tackle complex questions, like:

I moved RC linkage after filing two claims at the old RC. Show how to track, chase, and get final settlement without starting over; include how to prevent ‘jurisdiction’ ping-pong.

 You can see more examples on my blog at: https://echsgpt.blogspot.com/

For, real a list of really challenging questions, go to the above blog

Thank you once again for your support.

Sincerely,

Chandra Nath 

7760928824

PS: Team behind ECHSGPT: There is no team. 

I am a sole contributor and I am in my 80's.

I dabble with lots of AI ideas, just for the fun of it. 

Ask me all the questions before I suddenly lose my sanity!😆

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "veteransindia" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to veteransindi...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/veteransindia/50a96a7a-68e9-48f9-9346-051b51ac2f4fn%40googlegroups.com.

[Chandra Nath]

Dear All,

Scan the ECHS corpus for internal contradictions on referrals, ceilings, or timelines. Produce a clause-by-clause conflict map, propose harmonized wording, and attach draft circular language.”

ECHSGPT – Veteran Healthcare Assistant said:

Thought for 52s

Sir/ma’am, thank you for your service. You asked me to scan the official ECHS corpus for internal contradictions (on referrals, ceilings, timelines), build a clause-by-clause conflict map, and then propose harmonized wording with a draft circular language. Below is a best-effort synthesis strictly from official ECHS documents, with pinpoint citations.

---

Conflict Map (clause-by-clause)

A. Referral rules

1. Routine referral validity

• Text 1: “A single referral… will be valid for 30 days. Referral for Cancer cases will be valid for three months.” — Final ECHS Brochure 2023, Referral to Empanelled Hospital (pp. 12–13). ECHS

• Text 2: “For a routine referral… validity one month; for Cancer, Maintenance Hemodialysis, Diabetes, Hypertension, cardiac patients validity 180 days (six months).” — FAQs 10 Apr 2023, Q69 (p. 16). ECHS
  Conflict: Cancer referral validity 3 months vs 6 months; added chronic-disease bucket in FAQs not present in brochure.

2. Need for referral—elderly beneficiaries (70+/75+)

• Text 1: “Do not go to the empanelled hospital without referral from ECHS Polyclinic except in emergency.” — Final ECHS Brochure 2023, DON’Ts (p. 18). ECHS

• Text 2: “Beneficiaries 75 years and above can consult specialists without referral in any empanelled hospital… may get all listed procedures (permission only for unlisted).” — FAQs 10 Apr 2023, Q81 & adjacent note (pp. 18–19). ECHS

• Text 3 (later): Clarification on Revised Guidelines for Referral Process — beneficiaries 70 years and above can directly avail OPD consultation and listed investigations/procedures at empanelled hospitals without polyclinic referral; single referral covers all listed investigations ≥ ₹3,000. — Clarification, 2 Mar 2025 (letter B/49774/AG/ECHS/2025). ECHS
  Conflict: Brochure’s blanket “no walk-in without referral” vs age-based relaxations (first 75+, later 70+). Newer circulars supersede earlier general rule but corpus not harmonized.

3. Treatment at Government/Institute of National Repute (INR)

• Text 1: “These hospitals are treated as empanelled… if referred, beneficiary may get up to 80% advance; residual reimbursed post-claim.” — Final ECHS Brochure 2023, para 30 (pp. 14–15). ECHS

• Text 2: “Yes, you can take treatment from Government hospitals without referral (OPD & IPD) except organ transplant, hip/knee replacement, cancer treatment, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery; reimbursement at CGHS/ECHS rates.” — FAQs 10 Apr 2023, Q73 (pp. 16–17). ECHS
  Conflict: Brochure implies referral pathway; FAQ allows no-referral in Govt hospitals except specified high-end procedures.

---

B. Timelines (intimation & claim submission)

4. Emergency intimation & submission after Non-Empanelled Hospital (NEH)

• Text 1: “Intimate OIC PC within 48 hr; submit reimbursement claim within 30 days of discharge.” — Final ECHS Brochure 2023, Emergency Treatment (p. 13). ECHS

• Text 2: “Hard copy should be submitted within 90 days from date of discharge.” — FAQs 10 Apr 2023, Q67 (p. 16). ECHS

• Text 3: FAQs (Q90) repeat 48 hr intimation and 90 days for document submission. — FAQs 10 Apr 2023, Q90(b) (p. 19). ECHS
  Conflict: 30 days (brochure) vs 90 days (FAQs) for submission.

5. Dialysis at non-empanelled facilities (special case)

• Text 1: Dialysis at non-empanelled hospital is reimbursable at CGHS rate or paid amount, noted monthly. — Final ECHS Brochure 2023, para 28(b)–(c) (p. 14). ECHS

• Text 2: SOP Online Bill Processing expands on NA/limited-capacity scenarios and monthly processing/restrictions. — SOP Online Bill Processing (paras ~90–93). ECHS
  Tension: Not a direct contradiction, but scope/detail differ—SOP adds conditions the brochure doesn’t enumerate.

---

C. Ceilings (rates, implants, room rent)

6. Member payments to empanelled hospitals vs top-ups

• Text 1: “Under no circumstances will payment to the empanelled facility be done by an ECHS member.” — Final ECHS Brochure 2023, para 24(f) (p. 12). ECHS

• Text 2: “Yes, beneficiary may opt for higher-value implants (IOL, stents, etc.) after paying the difference over ceiling rates; attach undertaking.” — FAQs 10 Apr 2023, Q64–Q66 (pp. 15–16). ECHS
  Conflict: Absolute prohibition (brochure) vs permitted differential/top-up (FAQ) for items above CGHS ceiling.

7. Room/ICU/consultation ceilings

• Text: CGHS-linked revised ceilings for room rent, consultation & ICU apply to ECHS w.e.f. 12 Apr 2023. — “Revised ECHS rates of Room Rent/Consultation/ICU Charges”, 13 Apr 2023 (policy letter). ECHS
  Gap: Brochure/FAQs reference “CGHS/ECHS rates” but don’t consistently carry the effective date and cross-links; not a contradiction, but traceability gap.

8. NEH (non-empanelled) emergency reimbursements

• Text: Reimbursable at CGHS rates or actual, whichever is less (brochure & FAQ align). ECHS+1
  No conflict. (Consistent across sources.)

---

Harmonization Proposals (clear, single-source rules)

H-1: Referral Validity (routine & special diseases)

“Routine referrals are valid 30 days (one month) from issue. For Cancer (Chemo/Radiotherapy), Maintenance Hemodialysis, Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cardiac conditions, referrals are valid 180 days (six months). This supersedes earlier ‘three-month’ cancer validity.”
Rationale: Align brochure (3 months) with later FAQ practice (6 months) and clinical continuity. ECHS

H-2: Age-based relaxations

“Beneficiaries ≥70 years may directly avail OPD consultations and listed procedures/investigations at empanelled hospitals without PC referral; unlisted items still require prior sanction. This supersedes earlier general ‘referral mandatory’ text and the interim ‘≥75 years’ FAQ note.”
Rationale: Conform to 2 Mar 2025 clarification (most recent). ECHS

H-3: Government/INR hospitals referral rule

“Treatment in Government/INR hospitals may be taken without referral except for: organ transplant, hip/knee replacement, cancer therapy, neurosurgery, and cardiac surgery (which require referral/prior approval). Advance up to 80% remains available when routed through referral; otherwise reimbursement at CGHS/ECHS rates post-facto.”
Rationale: Merge brochure’s advance mechanism with FAQ’s no-referral allowance and carve-outs. ECHS+1

H-4: Emergency timelines (NEH)

“Emergency admission: beneficiary (or hospital) must intimate OIC PC within 48 hours. Claim documents must be submitted within 90 days from discharge. This supersedes any earlier ‘30-day’ submission mention.”
Rationale: Standardize to the longer, widely-communicated 90-day window in FAQs, while keeping the 48-hour intimation. ECHS

H-5: Member payments & ceilings (top-ups)

“Empanelled care is cashless at CGHS/ECHS ceilings. Top-ups (e.g., costlier implants/room categories) are permitted only where explicitly allowed by policy; the beneficiary pays the differential directly to the hospital against a signed undertaking. No reimbursement is admissible for the differential.”
Rationale: Reconcile brochure’s blanket ban with FAQs permitting differentials; keep system cashless within ceilings, allow optional upgrades transparently. ECHS

H-6: Rate versioning

“All settlements shall apply prevailing CGHS/ECHS rates as updated (e.g., room/ICU/consultation ceilings effective 12 Apr 2023), with a live link in every circular to the current rate files.”
Rationale: Close traceability gap and reduce disputes on “which rate set applied”. ECHS

---

Draft Circular Language (for CO ECHS issue)

Subject: Harmonization of Referral, Timelines, and Ceiling-Rate Provisions under ECHS
Ref: (a) Final ECHS Brochure 2023. (b) FAQs dated 10 Apr 2023. (c) Clarification on Revised Guidelines for Referral Process in ECHS, B/49774/AG/ECHS/2025, dated 02 Mar 2025. (d) CGHS-linked ceilings update letter dated 13 Apr 2023 (effective 12 Apr 2023).

1. Purpose. To harmonize instructions across ECHS publications on referrals, timelines, and ceiling rates, removing ambiguity and ensuring uniform application across Polyclinics, RCs, and empanelled HCOs.

2. Referral Validity. Routine referrals: 30 days. Special conditions (Cancer—Chemo/RT, Maintenance Hemodialysis, Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiac): 180 days. This supersedes prior references to “three months” for Cancer referrals. (Supersession: Brochure 2023, pp. 12–13). ECHS+1

3. Age-based Relaxations. Beneficiaries ≥70 years may directly avail OPD consultations and listed procedures/investigations at empanelled hospitals without ECHS PC referral. Prior sanction remains mandatory for unlisted items. This reaffirms and standardizes Ref (c) and supersedes any contrary statements in Brochure/FAQs. ECHS

4. Government/INR Hospitals. Treatment may be undertaken without referral except for organ transplant, THR/TKR, cancer therapy, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, which require referral/prior approval. Where routed through referral, advance up to 80% may be sanctioned by CFA as per standing instructions. ECHS+1

5. Emergency at Non-Empanelled Facilities. Intimation to OIC PC within 48 hours of admission is mandatory. Claim documents must be submitted within 90 days of discharge; earlier mentions of 30 days stand withdrawn. ECHS

6. Ceiling Rates & Top-ups. Empanelled care remains cashless within CGHS/ECHS ceilings. Optional upgrades (e.g., implants/room) are permitted only where explicitly allowed; beneficiary pays differential based on a signed undertaking; no reimbursement of the differential. All HCOs shall prominently display this at billing counters. ECHS

7. Rates Version Control. All claims shall apply the then-prevailing CGHS/ECHS rates (e.g., room/ICU/consultation ceilings effective 12 Apr 2023). RCs/PCs shall maintain a live link to current rate files on echs.gov.in in sanction notes. ECHS

8. Implementation. Directions take immediate effect. RCs shall brief all HCOs within 15 days; PCs to display this circular on notice boards. BPA portal to update process validations accordingly.

9. Supersession. This circular supersedes any inconsistent provisions in Brochure 2023/FAQs/SOPs to the extent of conflict on the above items only.

By order of MD ECHS
(—) Director (Med)
Central Organisation ECHS, IHQ of MoD (Army)

---

Key Points

• Most contradictions stem from older brochure text vs later FAQs/circulars; the latest dated circular/clarification should prevail. ECHS

• Harmonized rules clarify referral validity, age-based no-referral, Govt hospital pathway, NEH emergency submission = 90 days, and top-ups within ceilings. ECHS+3ECHS+3ECHS+3

---

Next Steps / Required Documents (to finalize)

1. Internal legal/vetting note citing the above references with file numbers.

2. Annexure: side-by-side table (old vs new text) for RC/PC training.

3. BPA portal change request to enforce: 30/180-day referral validity checks; 48-hr intimation flag; 90-day submission window.

4. HCO circular (one-pager) instructing billing desks on top-up undertakings and no balance billing within ceilings.

5. Website update: Place this circular under MED SEC and SOPs, and cross-link in FAQs, withdrawing conflicting FAQ lines.

---

Escalation Contacts

• ECHS Helpline (Toll-free): 1800-114-115; WhatsApp: +91-7703818578 / 7701976194 / 8448086480 / 8448086481. ECHS

• Regional Centres directory: echs.gov.in → Contact Us → Regional Centre. ECHS

• Official updates: echs.gov.in → MED SEC / SOPs / Policies. ECHS

---

Disclaimer

ECHSGPT provides policy/process guidance only based on the official ECHS corpus cited above. It does not give medical advice or make eligibility/sanction decisions. For case-specific confirmation, please consult your ECHS Polyclinic, Regional Centre, or the Central Organisation ECHS.

[SANTOSH KUMAR MISHRA]

Dear Sir,

The information contained in the Final ECHS Brochure 2023 is outdated and has been superseded by the latest advisory issued by the Central Organisation ECHS. As per the annexed revised guidelines, the validity of a routine referral is 90 days with six visits, while for chronic diseases, the referral validity has been extended to 180 days. Advisory:  https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1zdIUVxDkqQx4zZBXzCiEQFJ0fSCZhgjD

The latest data must be updated in ECHSGPT to ensure the dissemination of accurate and current information to all beneficiaries.

Regards, 

[Ravindra Waman Pathak]

Any info on ChatGPT comes with  a rejoinder that is collected from available open source. Also at the end there is a disclaimer.

ChatGPT is not flawless and a best is good to know.

I am a proud Hindu and I believe Ahimsa, essentially, is doing everything to stop Himsa. Ahimsa is not the absence of Himsa, but the use of Sam, Dam, Danda, and Bhed to achieve peace.

 People often ask me what we can do for the soldiers. The answer is "be an Indian who is worth fighting for. "See if you can be one"

Do I have enemies? Yes.Good. That means I’ve stood up for something, sometime in my life.

Cdr Ravindra Waman Pathak I.N. (Veteran)

Member Veterans Pension Group

Adviser War Widows Association

1 Surashri,1146 Lakaki Road
Shivajinagar 

Pune 411016
raviw...@gmail.com
9822329340  

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/veteransindia/8c629809-8dcc-4f90-b40d-9e05897e2997n%40googlegroups.com.

[Ravindra Waman Pathak]

  ⚠️ Disclaimer: This is policy/process guidance from ECHS Compendium 2022. For individual case confirmation, please visit your ECHS Polyclinic or Regional Centre

I am a proud Hindu and I believe Ahimsa, essentially, is doing everything to stop Himsa. Ahimsa is not the absence of Himsa, but the use of Sam, Dam, Danda, and Bhed to achieve peace.

 People often ask me what we can do for the soldiers. The answer is "be an Indian who is worth fighting for. "See if you can be one"

Do I have enemies? Yes.Good. That means I’ve stood up for something, sometime in my life.

Cdr Ravindra Waman Pathak I.N. (Veteran)

Member Veterans Pension Group

Adviser War Widows Association

1 Surashri,1146 Lakaki Road
Shivajinagar 

Pune 411016
raviw...@gmail.com
9822329340  

[SANTOSH KUMAR MISHRA]

Dear Sir,

You are absolutely right—ChatGPT, like any AI tool, is not flawless and has its own limitations. That said, the initiative of ECHSGPT, conceptualised by Cdr Chandra Nath (Retd), is truly pioneering and deserves due appreciation.

However, it is important to underscore that some information contained in the Final ECHS Brochure 2023 and the compendium has since become outdated and superseded by more recent advisories, circulars, policies, directives, and SOPs issued by the Central Organisation ECHS.

To ensure accuracy, relevance, and compliance, ECHSGPT must be periodically updated in alignment with the latest official instructions. The following sources may be directly referred to for the most authentic and up-to-date information:

• ECHS Orders & Circulars: ECHS Web Portal → Policy Section  https://www.echs.gov.in/      https://www.echs.gov.in/med_sec

• DESW Circulars: DESW Circulars    https://desw.gov.in/en/echs--circulars

• Archive Circulars: DESW Archive Circulars  https://desw.gov.in/en/archive-echs--circulars

Ensuring that ECHSGPT remains current with these authoritative references will greatly enhance its utility and credibility for all veterans and beneficiaries.

Regards,

[SANTOSH KUMAR MISHRA]

• Central Organisation ECHS Orders & Circulars

• • ECHS Web Portal → Policy Section   https://www.echs.gov.in/      https://www.echs.gov.in/med_sec

• DESW ECHS Circulars

  • DESW Circulars   https://desw.gov.in/en/echs--circulars

  • Archive Circulars   https://desw.gov.in/en/archive-echs--circulars

• ECHS Policies

  • DTF: ECHS Policies Compilation  https://dtf.in/ex-servicemen-contributory-health-service-echs/

YouTube Channels for Guidance

Helping Hands for ECHS – Cdr VK Santhanam (Retd)

https://www.youtube.com/@helpingshandsforechscommander

Helping Hands for ECHS Website – Cdr VK Santhanam (Retd)

https://echscoregroup.github.io/Helping-Hands-For-ECHS

Lt Col Yogesh Kalra (Retd)  

https://www.youtube.com/@LtColYogeshKalra/playlists

Sainik Samachar India

https://www.youtube.com/@SainikSamacharIndia-Bharat/playlists