PM RAHAT Scheme: Cashless Emergency Care for Road Accident Victims
The government has launched the PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment) scheme. This nationwide initiative is a major step toward improving emergency medical services and reducing deaths caused by road accidents.
The scheme guarantees immediate, cashless treatment for victims to ensure that no one is denied life-saving care due to a lack of money. Every eligible victim on any category of road will receive cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for seven days from the date of the accident.
India reports a high number of road accident deaths every year. Many of these lives can be saved if medical care is provided during the “Golden Hour”—the first hour after an injury. Studies show that nearly half of these fatalities are preventable with timely treatment.
Who is Eligible for the PM RAHAT Scheme?
Under PM RAHAT, victims are entitled to stabilization care for up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and up to 48 hours in critical cases. This care is subject to police verification through an integrated digital system.
The scheme ensures that emergency treatment begins immediately without requiring upfront payments from victims or their families.
How the Scheme Works
The PM RAHAT scheme is linked to the national Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) via the helpline number 112.
- Immediate Help: Victims or bystanders can dial 112 to find the nearest designated hospital and request an ambulance.
- Fast Coordination: This system allows for quick communication between emergency responders, police, and hospitals to help victims reach care within the Golden Hour.
- Digital Integration: The scheme uses a digital framework that combines the Ministry of Road Transport’s Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) with the National Health Authority’s Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0).
To ensure care is not delayed, police confirmation is required within 24 hours for non-critical cases and 48 hours for critical cases.
Payment and Claims Process
Hospitals will be reimbursed through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF). The payment structure is as follows:
- Insured Vehicles: Costs are covered by general insurance companies.
- Uninsured or Hit-and-Run Cases: The central government covers the costs through its budget.
Approved claims will be settled within 10 days by the State Health Agency. This provides financial certainty to hospitals and encourages them to provide uninterrupted treatment.
Grievance Redressal
If there are any issues or complaints regarding the scheme, they will be handled by a designated Grievance Redressal Officer. This officer is nominated by the District Road Safety Committee, which is led by the District Collector or District Magistrate.
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