PM RAHAT Scheme: Road accidents have increased significantly alongside the continuous rise in transportation. Since a road accident can happen to anyone at any time, immediate medical attention for the injured person is crucial. Often, treatment is delayed due to a lack of funds. To address this issue, the Central Government launched the PM RAHAT scheme for accident victims.
Under the scheme’s guidelines, an eligible road accident victim (or their nominee) receives cashless hospital treatment worth up to ₹1.5 lakh. This coverage applies for up to seven days following the accident. The scheme was officially implemented as ‘PM RAHAT’ in 2026.
What is the PM RAHAT Scheme?
PM RAHAT is a government scheme designed to provide initial and essential hospital treatment to people injured in road accidents. Its primary benefit is that the injured person does not need to deposit money upfront to commence treatment; the hospital begins treatment as soon as the patient arrives.
What is the value of the treatment provided?
Under this government scheme, an accident victim can receive cashless treatment worth up to ₹1.5 lakh. This facility is available for up to seven days from the date of the accident. Treatment is administered according to the packages and rules defined under the scheme; this means the ₹1.5 lakh assistance is provided for specific treatments covered by the scheme’s defined packages, rather than for any and all treatments at any hospital.
Who is eligible for the scheme?
The benefit of this government facility is available to individuals injured in road accidents. The scheme specifically covers accidents involving motorcycles. A key feature is that the injured person does not need to be a beneficiary of any existing government health scheme to avail of this benefit; it is designed specifically for road accident victims.
Immediate Treatment Upon Hospital Arrival
Hospitals designated under the PM-RAHAT scheme must provide immediate medical treatment to an injured person upon arrival. While the hospital can initiate treatment, it may simultaneously carry out necessary pre-authorisation procedures; however, treatment must not be delayed solely while waiting for pre-authorisation.
What happens if the police transport the injured person to the hospital?
If the police transport the injured person to the hospital and an eDAR victim ID is generated, coverage of up to ₹1.5 lakh is provided under the treatment package defined for designated hospitals. If the injured person is taken to the hospital without police assistance, the hospital must forward the patient’s details to the district police to confirm that the individual is a victim of a road accident; this enables immediate commencement of treatment.
Free Treatment Available at All Hospitals
The government has directed states to designate hospitals equipped with trauma and polytrauma care facilities under the scheme. In non-designated hospitals, the scheme primarily covers stabilisation treatment.
What to do in the event of an accident?
In the event of a road accident, the priority is to transport the injured person to the nearest hospital as quickly as possible. Provide assistance safely at the accident site. Notify the police and ambulance services if necessary. Transport the injured person to the nearest suitable hospital. Inform the hospital about the treatment facility available under PM-RAHAT and provide the accident and patient-related information requested by the hospital. Cooperate with the hospital with its procedures and required documentation during treatment.
Who bears the cost of treatment?
Claims for the defined treatment packages provided by the hospital are settled through government mechanisms under the scheme. The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund and relevant government health institutions play a role in this scheme. The objective is to ensure that accident victims do not have to make immediate out-of-pocket payments for their treatment.
Key Benefit of the PM-RAHAT Scheme
The primary advantage of this government scheme is ensuring that a person injured in a road accident is not denied initial medical treatment due to a lack of funds. The initiative emphasises the immediate commencement of treatment and provides for cashless care through designated hospitals.
Conclusion
The PM-RAHAT scheme offers significant relief to road accident victims. Under this scheme, an eligible victim can receive cashless treatment worth up to ₹1.5 lakh for up to 7 days at a designated hospital. The scheme’s core objective is to ensure timely medical care for the injured, allowing them to prioritise treatment over financial concerns following an accident. Therefore, in the event of a road accident, the priority should be to safely transport the injured person to a hospital and inquire about the facilities available under PM-RAHAT.