Government Launches Cashless Assured Treatment of Accident Victims

Right after shifting to Seva Teerth, the Prime Minister approved a new scheme called PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment). The main objective of launching this scheme is to help people who are injured in road accidents get immediate medical care without any delay or financial worries.

India has a huge number of road accident deaths every year, and many of these deaths happen because victims do not receive treatment in time. As per studies, nearly half of the deaths could be prevented if patients are taken to a hospital within the first hour after the accident. Through PM RAHAT, the government wants to ensure quick treatment, proper payment to hospitals, and a well-organised emergency response system so that more lives can be saved.

Integration with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 112 helpline helps accident victims get to hospitals quickly, especially within the Golden Hour. Anyone at the accident site, including the injured person, a helper (Rah-Veer/Good Samaritan), or any passerby, can dial 112 to find the nearest hospital and request an ambulance. This system allows emergency teams, police, and hospitals to work together faster so that victims receive timely treatment.

Under this scheme, anyone injured in a road accident can receive cashless medical treatment worth up to Rs. 1.5 lakh for a maximum of 7 days from the date of the accident. Immediate stabilisation treatment will also be provided for up to 24 hours for non-life-threatening injuries and up to 48 hours for life-threatening cases. However, this benefit will be given only after the accident is confirmed by the police through an integrated digital system.

PM RAHAT works via a digital system that connects accident reporting, hospitals, and government authorities. It combines the eDAR platform of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways with the National Health Authority’s TMS 2.0 system. Police must confirm cases within 24 hours for non-serious injuries and 48 hours for serious injuries. This ensures responsibility while allowing hospitals to start treatment immediately without delays. Apart from this, it makes the entire process simple and smooth, from accident reporting to treatment and payment.

Hospitals will receive reimbursement through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF). If the vehicle involved in the accident is insured, the money will come from insurance companies. However, in a hit-and-run, the Government of India will pay through its budget. Once a claim is approved by the State Health Agency, hospitals will get payment within 10 days. This will provide financial clarity to hospitals and encourage them to provide uninterrupted treatment.

Grievances of road accidents will be handled by a Grievance Redressal Officer appointed by the District Road Safety Committee. This committee is chaired by the district collector or district magistrate, ensuring responsibility and quick action at the district level.

The approval and launch of PM RAHAT show that the government is putting people first. It focuses on quick action, care, and saving lives. With this scheme, road accident victims will not be refused life-saving treatment just because they cannot afford it. PM RAHAT is an important step towards helping accident victims and improving emergency medical care across India.