ECHS: Non admission in empanelled hospitals

mdechs@.......
Pers for MD ECHS
Please refer my teleconversation with you of date. Maj Shashi Mengi diagnosed with liver cancer reported to Dharmshila Cancer Hospital but was refused admission on the ground that the Hospital had stopped admitting ECHS patients due to non clearance of pending bills of 8 crores by ECHS. As mentioned in a paper sent to you earlier this was bound to happen. All good hospitals are slowly but surely withdrawing from ECHS due mismanagement eg Apollo, Gangaram Escorts and now Dharamshila.

As telephonically confirmed by you Maj Mengi is being admitted and will pay all bills as raised. As also confirmed by you ECHS will subsequently clear bills as in a reimbursement case. Pl place on record above confirmation with copy of email to maj mengi. For Gods sake sort out the system as otherwise the Scheme will collapse despite your best intentions.

Regards
Brig Kuthiala (Retd)

My comments to ECHS Empenalled Hospitals refusing admission.
In the event Maj Mangi pays his bills himself ,he shall be only reimbursed the bills at CGHS rates which are at least 50 to 60 percent less than the actual hospital charges.ECHS central office has lost its purpose ,day by day good hospitals like Apollo are refusing admission when they stand in the empenalled list. The ECHS Central office has taken no action to de empannel such hosptals and inform the Echs members.

I had an unfortunate experiance with the ECHS. My bill from Apollo Hospital was paid after one year only after I met the MD in his office. My Complaint was not replied and no action was taken against the defaultor.

B L Sapru
Veteran

Comment: ECHS concept conceived by civil servants initially crowned with teething problems is now graduating to labour pains- cash starved, lack of command and control, staffed by de- motivated re- employed staff! We await its demise or re- birth! How many ESM will take the quicker road to his final destiny in the meantime is for anyone to guess?