Great News: Road Accident Victims to Receive Free Treatment with New Cashless Treatment Scheme Nationwide
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): To ensure immediate and free treatment to road accident victims, the Government of India has implemented the Cashless Treatment Scheme across the country. According to the gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, this important scheme has become effective from May 5, 2025.
Under this scheme, any person injured in a motor vehicle accident will be able to get free treatment up to a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh per accident. According to the ministry's notification, road accident victims will get free treatment in any part of the country, in government or private hospitals designated for the scheme. As per the provisions of the scheme, the victim will be provided cashless treatment up to a maximum of Rs 1,50,000 for the next seven days from the date of the accident. However, this facility will be fully applicable only in those hospitals which have been “designated” by the government for this scheme.
If in an emergency situation the designated hospital is not available to the victim and treatment has to be done in some other hospital, then in that case only the expenses till stabilization of the condition of the injured person in that hospital will be covered under this scheme. Detailed guidelines have been issued separately in this regard. The responsibility of effective implementation of this scheme has been entrusted to the National Health Authority (NHA). NHA will coordinate with the police, hospitals and state level health agencies to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach the eligible persons.
The State Road Safety Council has been made the nodal agency for this scheme in each state and union territory. This council will monitor the proper implementation of the scheme, linking hospitals to the scheme, treatment of victims and payment process. In addition, the central government will also form a steering committee to ensure effective monitoring and operation of the scheme.
It is worth noting that before implementing this scheme at the national level, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had started a pilot program on 14 March 2024, based on the experience gained from which it has now been implemented across the country. This step is expected to provide timely and financial treatment to the injured in road accidents without any worries.