The government, on Saturday, gave its go ahead to PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) Scheme aimed at ensuring immediate medical assistance to road accident victims to prevent fatalities. A decision to this effect was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a life-saving intervention, financial certainty for hospitals, and a structured emergency response system for road accident victims, the ministry of road transport and highways said in a statement.India records a significant number of road accident fatalities every year, many of which are preventable with timely medical intervention. Studies indicate that nearly 50 per cent of road accident deaths can be averted if victims are admitted to hospital within the first hour.Under the scheme, every eligible road accident victim on any category of road will be entitled to cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim, for a period of seven days from the date of accident.
Stabilization treatment will be provided for up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and up to 48 hours in life-threatening cases, subject to police authentication on an integrated digital system.
The scheme will be integrated with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 112 helpline to ensure that accident victims reach hospitals within the Golden Hour.
PM RAHAT is implemented through a robust, technology-driven framework amalgamating the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) platform of the ministry of road transport and highways with the transaction management system (TMS 2.0) of the National Health Authority.
This integration will enable seamless digital linkage from accident reporting to hospital admission, police authentication, treatment administration, claim processing, and final payment. However, police confirmation is required within defined timelines, 24 hours for non-life-threatening cases and 48 hours for life-threatening cases, ensuring accountability while allowing uninterrupted emergency care.Reimbursement to hospitals will be made through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF).
In cases where the offending vehicle is insured, payment will be drawn from contributions made by general insurance companies. In uninsured and hit and run cases, payment will be made through budgetary allocation by the government of India.
Claims approved by the state health agency will be paid within 10 days, thereby providing financial certainty to hospitals and encouraging uninterrupted treatment.
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