Cashless Treatment for Road Accident Victims
Context: A week after the Supreme Court reprimanded the government, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notified the cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims during the “golden hour”.
Important Pointers:
►Launched by: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) ► Date of Enforcement: May 5, 2025 ► Objective: Provide cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for road accident victims during the Golden Hour ► Golden Hour Definition: The First one hour after a traumatic injury, where timely treatment can save lives (Section 2(12A) of the Motor Vehicle Act) ► Legal Backing: Implemented under Section 162(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 ► Duration of Benefit: Treatment for up to 7 days from the date of the accident ► Eligibility: All accident victims, regardless of insurance status
Hospital Responsibilities & Payment Process
► Designated Hospitals: Must provide immediate medical care on arrival ► Other Hospitals: Can only offer stabilisation treatment ► Claim Mechanism: ▪ Hospitals raise claims on a dedicated portal ▪ State Health Agency approves or rejects with reasons recorded
Implementation and Oversight
► Nodal Agency: State Road Safety Council ► Coordination with: ▪ National Health Authority (NHA) ▪ State Health Agency ▪ Ayushman Bharat empanelled hospitals
► Central Steering Committee: ▪ Headed by the Secretary, MoRTH, and the CEO, NHA ▪ Includes reps from MoRTH, MHA, MoHFW, and General Insurance Council ▪ Meets twice a year
► State Monitoring: Done by State Road Safety Councils