ECHS: There’s some big news for veterans and their families. ECHS has updated its treatment rates. The new CGHS list from the government will now show the rates established by the Ministry of Health. The Ministry has put out a notification about this. These updated rates will kick in on December 15, 2025. This change is set to help millions of veterans’ families, as the new rates will apply to outpatient care, inpatient care, medications, and bill reimbursements.

Cashless treatment will still be available just like before. Now, the costs will be based on the hospital and the city. The major shift is that treatment costs will now be influenced by the hospital’s quality and its location.

Hospitals lacking quality accreditation will receive 15% less funding from the government compared to before.

On the flip side, larger and more advanced hospitals will see a 15% increase in their payments.

New system for cities:

Major cities (Tier-1) – Full rate

Medium cities (Tier-2) – 10% less

Smaller cities (Tier-3) – 20% less

The Northeast region, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh are also categorized as Tier 2. This means that treatment costs will now differ based on the ward you are in, whether it’s in Delhi, Guwahati, or a smaller city.

The new rates have been set with semi-private wards as the standard.

5% less for general ward patients

Semi-Private – Standard Price

Private ward – 5% more cost

Prices for services like outpatient care, certain treatments, tests, and daycare will stay the same for everyone. Cancer surgeries will keep their old rates, but chemotherapy and radiation will be billed at the new rates.

Simple pricing method:

If the original cost of a treatment is A.

General Ward: A – 5%

Semi-Private: A

Private Ward: A + 5%

The hospital will generate the bill based on the ward indicated in the patient’s card.

The ECHS provides treatment to millions of veterans and their families across the country at military hospitals, polyclinics, and private hospitals. The new rates will further streamline the system. Every patient will know the prescribed cost in each city and hospital. Getting treatment will become easier and more transparent.