The e-Pehchan Card is a unique identification card issued to employees covered under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme, which provides various health and insurance benefits to workers in India. Managed by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), the scheme covers employees working in factories and establishments where the employee count is 10 or more. It is an important document that helps employees and their dependents avail medical and social security benefits under the ESIC program.
This card acts as proof of the employee’s and their family members’ enrollment in the ESI scheme, ensuring access to a wide range of healthcare services at ESI hospitals, dispensaries, and empaneled hospitals.
What is ESIC?
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. Established in 1952, ESIC was set up to provide social security and health insurance to employees working in India. The scheme ensures that employees earning up to a certain salary threshold (currently Rs. 21,000 per month) are entitled to medical, monetary, and other benefits in times of sickness, maternity, disability, and unemployment.
Key Benefits of ESIC:
- Medical Benefits: Access to full medical care for insured persons and their family members from ESIC hospitals and dispensaries.
- Sickness Benefits: Financial assistance during periods of certified illness.
- Maternity Benefits: Financial help to insured women during pregnancy or after childbirth.
- Disability Benefits: Compensation for temporary or permanent disability due to injury at the workplace.
- Dependents’ Benefit: A monthly pension to dependents in case of the insured person’s death due to employment injury.
- Unemployment Allowance: Financial assistance to unemployed workers under certain conditions.
To avail of these benefits, employees need an e-Pehchan card, which is linked to their ESI account. This card can be downloaded online using the ESIC portal.
How to Download the e-Pehchan Card
Downloading the e-Pehchan Card is a simple and convenient process, as long as you have the required credentials and follow the official procedure. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:
Step 1: Visit the Official ESIC Portal
- Open your web browser and go to the official Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) website: www.esic.in.
Step 2: Login with Credentials
- After visiting the official ESIC portal, click on the “Employee Login” option.
- Enter your IP Number (Insurance Person Number) and password in the designated fields.
- Click on the “Submit” button to log in to your account.
- In case you forget your password, use the “Forgot Password” option to reset it by following the on-screen instructions.
- Ensure your credentials are accurate and provided by your employer, as they are essential for accessing your account.
Step 3: Navigate to the e-Pehchan Card Section
- Once logged in, you will be redirected to your dashboard.
- On the dashboard, locate the option titled “e-Pehchan Card” or “Download Card” under the services or benefits section.
- Click on this option to proceed to the next step.
Step 4: Input Required Details
Step 5: Download the e-Pehchan Card
- After successfully verifying your details, you will see an option to “Download” the e-Pehchan card.
- Click on the download button, and the card will be saved to your device in PDF format.
- Ensure you save it in a secure location for easy access. You can also print a copy if needed for future use or verification.
Step 6: Print the e-Pehchan Card (Optional)
- If you require a physical copy of the e-Pehchan Card, you can easily print it after downloading.
- Open the downloaded PDF file and select the “Print” option.
- Choose your preferred printer and paper size, then click “Print”.
- A printed copy of your e-Pehchan Card can be useful for easy reference or when required for official purposes, although the digital version is equally valid for most services.
What is the IP Number in ESIC?
The IP Number (Insurance Person Number) is a unique identification number assigned to every employee covered under the ESIC scheme. It is an important number that is used to track the employee’s contributions, medical history, and benefits. The IP Number is required for various processes, including downloading the e-Pehchan Card and checking the status of claims.
Common Applications of the e-Pehchan Card
The e-Pehchan Card is an essential document under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) scheme, offering a range of benefits and services to employees and their dependents. Below are some of the common applications of the e-Pehchan Card:
- Access to Medical Benefits
The card allows employees and their dependents to access medical treatment at ESIC dispensaries, hospitals, and empaneled healthcare facilities across India.
It ensures cashless healthcare services for hospitalization, specialist consultations, and diagnostic tests. - Maternity Benefits
Women employees covered under ESIC can use the e-Pehchan Card to avail maternity benefits, including paid leave and medical care during pregnancy and childbirth. - Sickness Benefits
The card facilitates access to sickness benefits, which provide financial compensation during periods of certified illness or incapacity for up to 91 days in a year, helping employees manage their finances while recovering. - Dependents’ Benefits
The e-Pehchan Card can be used to extend ESIC benefits to dependents of the employee, including spouses, children, and parents, ensuring that the entire family is covered under the scheme. - Disability and Injury Benefits
In case of work-related injuries or disabilities, the card is used to avail disability benefits, including compensation for permanent or temporary disabilities, rehabilitation, and related medical care. - Funeral Expenses
The card also enables beneficiaries to claim funeral expenses in the unfortunate event of the insured employee’s death, providing financial assistance to the family for last rites. - Unemployment Allowance
The card is required to apply for the Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana, which offers unemployment allowance for employees who lose their jobs under certain conditions like retrenchment or permanent disability.
Features of the ESIC e-Pehchan Card
The e-Pehchan Card is an important document provided by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to employees covered under the ESI scheme. It serves as an identification card for availing various benefits under the scheme, which include medical, sickness, maternity, disability, and other welfare benefits. The card has been designed to make the ESIC process more accessible and convenient for both employees and their dependents. Below are the key features of the ESIC e-Pehchan Card:
- Unique Identification for Insured Persons (IPs)
The e-Pehchan Card contains a unique IP Number (Insurance Person Number) assigned to each employee under the ESIC scheme. This IP number serves as a unique identification across all ESIC facilities and is required when accessing ESIC benefits and services.
The card can be used as proof of identity at any ESIC hospital, dispensary, or empaneled medical institution for healthcare services. - Easy Access to Medical Benefits
The e-Pehchan Card simplifies the process of accessing medical benefits for both employees and their dependents. The card ensures that they can avail medical care without the need for cash, providing access to ESIC hospitals and dispensaries for general consultations, specialist visits, diagnostic services, and hospitalization.
Employees and their families can receive treatment at any ESIC empaneled healthcare provider by presenting the card, ensuring that they can access healthcare across a wide network of facilities. - Covers Dependents
One of the most significant features of the e-Pehchan Card is that it extends its benefits not only to the employee but also to their dependents, which may include spouses, children, and parents. This feature ensures that the entire family can benefit from the healthcare and financial protections provided by the ESIC scheme.
Dependents are entitled to receive medical care, including preventive, curative, and specialized treatments at ESIC hospitals. - Online Accessibility
The e-Pehchan Card can be easily downloaded from the official ESIC portal, allowing employees to access it at any time. This online accessibility eliminates the need for physical cards and ensures that employees can access their digital card whenever needed.
The digital format also ensures ease of use and portability, as employees can access it on their smartphones, tablets, or computers. - Multi-purpose Card
The e-Pehchan Card is more than just a health card; it also facilitates access to various other ESIC benefits, including:
Sickness benefits: Financial support during periods of illness.
Maternity benefits: Paid leave and healthcare during pregnancy for female employees.
Disability benefits: Compensation for permanent or temporary disability due to work-related injuries.
Funeral benefits: Financial assistance for funeral expenses in case of an insured person’s death. - Simple and Efficient Claim Process
The e-Pehchan Card simplifies the claims process under the ESIC scheme. With this card, employees and their dependents can quickly access services without complicated paperwork or approvals. The card ensures that claims for hospitalization, sickness, maternity, and other benefits can be processed efficiently. - Cashless Transactions
One of the key advantages of the e-Pehchan Card is that it facilitates cashless medical treatment. Employees and their families can avail of medical services at ESIC hospitals and empaneled healthcare providers without paying upfront. The costs of treatment are covered directly by the ESIC, which alleviates the financial burden on employees during medical emergencies. - Nationwide Usability
The e-Pehchan Card is accepted at all ESIC dispensaries, hospitals, and empaneled private healthcare providers across India. This ensures that employees and their families can avail healthcare services regardless of where they are located, whether it’s in urban centers or rural areas. The card’s nationwide usability makes it highly convenient for individuals who may move between different cities or states for work. - Validity and Security
The e-Pehchan Card is valid as long as the employee remains insured under the ESI scheme. The card’s information is secure and can only be accessed using the employee’s unique IP number, ensuring the confidentiality of their personal and medical details. - User-Friendly Interface
The process of downloading and using the e-Pehchan Card is user-friendly. Employees can log in to the ESIC portal using their credentials, navigate to the e-Pehchan Card section, and download the card in PDF format. The card can be printed for physical use or stored digitally for easy access.
Conclusion
The ESIC e-Pehchan Card offers a range of features that make it a critical tool for employees under the ESIC scheme. It simplifies the process of availing healthcare and other benefits, ensures nationwide access to services, covers dependents, and offers cashless transactions at ESIC facilities. With its easy-to-use, secure, and convenient format, the e-Pehchan Card enhances the overall experience of employees and ensures that they and their families are well-protected under the ESIC program.
