New Scheme Provides Cashless Treatment for Road Accident Victims
In a significant development for road safety and victim support, the Government of India has officially launched the Cashless Treatment for Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025. Announced under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, this initiative ensures timely medical assistance for individuals injured in road accidents. The scheme mandates government hospitals to provide cashless treatment to victims, streamlining the process for emergency care.
The scheme allows for medical treatment coverage of up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim, valid for a maximum of seven days following an accident. This provision applies to all victims involved in road accidents caused by motor vehicles on any type of road. For victims facing non-life-threatening conditions, stabilization treatment is available for up to 24 hours, while those in critical situations can receive care for up to 48 hours based on police response and hospital capacity.
Streamlined Implementation and Funding
This scheme takes precedence over any other related Central or State schemes, ensuring a unified approach to accident victim care. The implementation is facilitated through a combination of existing platforms: the electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) utilized by police for reporting accidents and the Transaction Management System 2.0 (TMS 2.0) employed by hospitals for managing treatment claims and payments.
The reimbursement for hospitals involved in treating accident victims will be processed through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF). This fund receives contributions from general insurance companies for insured vehicles and additional support from government budgets for uninsured cases. Furthermore, hospitals registered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) will automatically be designated as treatment facilities under this scheme.
Coordinated Emergency Response
To facilitate quick access to medical care, the scheme integrates with the 112 Emergency Response Support System (ERSS). This allows operators to guide accident victims to the nearest designated hospital and arrange ambulance services if needed. The standard health benefit packages already established by the National Health Authority (NHA) will frame the medical treatment provided.
Claims for reimbursement initiated by hospitals upon patient discharge will be meticulously verified and approved by the State Health Agency (SHA). To ensure hospitals receive prompt payments, a 10-day window will be allotted from the claim approval to disbursement by either District Collectors or the General Insurance Council, depending on the case specifics. This system aims for a seamless digital process, maintaining a transparent trail from the moment of the accident through treatment and payment.
A public awareness campaign, known as the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan, has also been launched to educate citizens about this and other related initiatives. This comprehensive effort underscores the government’s commitment to improving road safety and support for accident survivors.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, shared this information during a recent conversation in the Lok Sabha, emphasizing the importance of prompt medical care in enhancing the outcomes for accident victims.
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