What to do during the emergency
In a genuine emergency, obtain necessary treatment first. ECHS recognises emergency admission to a service hospital, empanelled hospital or non-empanelled hospital. At a non-empanelled hospital the beneficiary may need to pay first and seek reimbursement later.
48-hour intimation and claim deadline
Inform the OIC of the parent/nearest ECHS Polyclinic within 48 hours of emergency admission. For submission after discharge, later official ECHS FAQs state within 90 days of discharge. An older 2023 brochure says 30 days, creating an official inconsistency. Because the FAQ is the later specific claim guidance, this page uses 90 days while advising beneficiaries to submit as early as possible and verify the current rule with the polyclinic.
Documents to collect
- ECHS card copy and personal application.
- Emergency certificate / proof showing why immediate admission was necessary.
- Admission and discharge summary.
- Prescriptions, investigation reports and procedure notes.
- Original itemised bills, receipts and payment proof.
- Any 48-hour intimation acknowledgement or communication with the polyclinic.
- Bank details and portal-generated claim documents.
How to submit the claim
- Notify the polyclinic within 48 hours and keep proof.
- After discharge, organise the medical and payment trail chronologically.
- Use the official ECHS Beneficiary Claim Submission route where applicable; create the correct IPD/emergency reimbursement claim.
- Upload legible documents, complete bank details and Final Submit.
- Print/download the generated continuing bill/document and submit originals to the polyclinic where required.
- Keep the Claim ID and acknowledgement for tracking.
What ECHS may reimburse
The official FAQ says non-empanelled emergency claims are finally settled at CGHS rates after the emergency is verified/justified and the case is approved by the competent authority. The amount paid by you is therefore not a guarantee of the amount reimbursed.
If you missed a step or the claim is pending
Do not fabricate dates or an emergency certificate. Give the polyclinic the actual facts and supporting evidence and ask whether any condonation/waiver route is available under the current policy. For a pending submitted claim, use Claim Status first, then approach the OIC Polyclinic and concerned Regional Centre with the Claim ID and copies of the documents.
Frequently asked questions
Is 48-hour intimation important?
Yes. The official ECHS FAQ specifically requires notification of a non-empanelled emergency admission to the OIC ECHS Polyclinic within 48 hours.
Is the submission limit 30 or 90 days?
Official ECHS material conflicts: an older brochure says 30 days, while the later FAQ says 90 days after discharge. Submit as early as possible and confirm the current requirement.
Can a claim be made if the ECHS card holder dies in the non-empanelled hospital?
Yes. The official FAQ describes reimbursement for such an emergency case, subject to the required proof and processing.