The government has launched a nationwide cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims, offering up to Rs 1.5 lakh in coverage per person, per accident, for treatment at designated hospitals within seven days of the incident.

Any person who becomes a victim of a road accident involving a motor vehicle on any road across the country will be eligible for this cashless treatment, irrespective of any class or categories, a notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said.

The notification specifies that victims can receive cashless treatment at any designated hospital for expenses up to Rs 1.5 lakh per person for a maximum period of seven days from the date of the accident. Treatment at hospitals that are not designated under the scheme will be limited to stabilisation measures, as further detailed in the scheme's guidelines.

The National Health Authority (NHA) will serve as the implementing agency for this significant program, working in collaboration with the police, hospitals, and State Health Agencies. The State Road Safety Council in each state and Union Territory will act as the nodal agency responsible for the scheme's implementation within their jurisdiction.

This includes coordinating with the National Health Authority for the onboarding of designated hospitals, the treatment of victims, payment processes to hospitals, and other related matters through a dedicated portal. Furthermore, the central government will establish a steering committee to oversee and monitor the effective implementation of this nationwide scheme, according to the notification.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had previously initiated a pilot program for cashless treatment of road accident victims on March 14, 2024.

Source: India Today