by Summary Box: The Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme provides eligible road accident victims with cashless treatment cover of up to ₹1.5 lakh for a maximum of seven days. This guide explains the latest PM-RAHAT scheme, eligibility, treatment period and how the benefit works.The Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme is especially useful when accident victims need immediate hospital care without worrying about the initial treatment cost.
If you or someone else becomes a victim of a road accident involving a motor vehicle, immediate medical treatment can be available without requiring the victim to arrange the treatment amount upfront. The Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme was notified by the Central Government in 2025 and was later renamed the Prime Minister – Road Accident Victims’ Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment (PM-RAHAT) Scheme in February 2026.
What Is the Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme?
The scheme provides cashless treatment to road accident victims at designated hospitals. Treatment cover is available up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim, subject to a maximum period of seven days from the date of the accident. The benefit applies to road accidents caused by the use of motor vehicles on any category of road.
The scheme is intended to ensure that financial difficulties do not delay emergency treatment after an accident. It is a statutory scheme and operates through the National Health Authority’s technology platform for registration, verification and claim processing.
7 Important Benefits You Should Know
1. Treatment Cover Up to ₹1.5 Lakh
Table of Contents
Each eligible road accident victim can receive treatment cover of up to ₹1.5 lakh. This is subject to the scheme’s applicable treatment packages and the maximum seven-day treatment period.
2. Cashless Treatment
The victim does not have to arrange the covered treatment amount upfront at a designated hospital. The scheme is designed to provide cashless access to eligible treatment, helping families manage the immediate financial pressure following an accident.
3. Available Across India
The scheme has been notified on a pan-India basis. Road accident victims can receive the applicable benefit at designated hospitals across the country, subject to the scheme’s conditions and hospital onboarding.
4. Seven-Day Treatment Window
The treatment cover is available for a maximum of seven days from the date of the accident. Therefore, the accident date is important when determining the applicable treatment period.
5. Applies to Different Road Categories
The benefit is not restricted only to National Highways. The official scheme covers accidents caused by motor vehicles on any category of road.
6. Emergency Stabilisation
The guidelines provide for stabilisation and treatment for up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and up to 48 hours in life-threatening cases at designated hospitals, subject to police response and applicable procedures.
7. Designated Hospitals
Treatment under the scheme is provided through designated hospitals onboarded through the National Health Authority. Certain eligible hospitals already empanelled under AB PM-JAY can also qualify as designated hospitals when they meet the applicable requirements.
How Does the Scheme Work After an Accident?
After a road accident, the priority should always be getting the victim to emergency medical care as quickly as possible. At a designated hospital, the accident and victim details can be processed through the scheme’s system. The hospital follows the applicable verification, treatment and claim procedures under the PM-RAHAT guidelines.
The Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme is not a replacement for every other insurance or government benefit. The official government information describes it as a separate statutory scheme for cashless road accident treatment.Under the Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme, eligible victims can receive covered treatment at designated hospitals according to the applicable government guidelines.
Hospital List
| District | Hospital |
|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram | General Hospital Thiruvananthapuram |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Govt. Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Ernakulam | Ernakulam General Hospital |
| Ernakulam | Lourdes Hospital |
| Ernakulam | Amrita Hospital, Kochi |
| Ernakulam | Medical Trust Hospital |
| Ernakulam | M.A.J. Hospital |
| Ernakulam | District Hospital Aluva |
| Kottayam | Govt Medical College Hospital Kottayam |
| Kozhikode | Govt. Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode |
| Kozhikode | Baby Memorial Hospital |
| Malappuram | Ascent ENT Hospital, Perinthalmanna |
| Thrissur | Govt General Hospital Irinjalakuda |
| Thrissur | Rohini Hospital |
| Thrissur | Daya General Hospital & Specialty Surgical Centre |
| Pathanamthitta | Thiruvalla Medical Mission Hospital |
| Alappuzha | Sahrudaya Hospital |
| Wayanad | Government General Hospital Kalpetta |
“Cashless treatment is available at eligible Government hospitals and State Health Agency (KASP/PM-JAY) empanelled private hospitals across Kerala. Patients or their relatives should confirm eligibility with the hospital or the State Health Agency at the time of admission.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can receive the ₹1.5 lakh treatment benefit?
A person who is a victim of a road accident caused by the use of a motor vehicle can receive treatment cover subject to the scheme’s conditions.
Is the ₹1.5 lakh amount given directly to the victim?
No. It is a treatment cover provided through the designated hospital system rather than a direct cash payment to the victim.
How long is the treatment covered?
The maximum treatment period covered under the scheme is seven days from the date of the accident.
Does the scheme cover accidents on State Highways and other roads?
Yes. The scheme applies to road accidents caused by motor vehicles on any category of road.
Conclusion
The Free Cashless Road Accident Treatment Scheme, now known as PM-RAHAT, is designed to provide timely financial protection for road accident victims. With treatment cover of up to ₹1.5 lakh for a maximum of seven days, it can help reduce the immediate financial burden while emergency medical care is provided.
Internal Link Suggestion:
KASP Health Insurance 2026
Official External Link(s):
PM-RAHAT Scheme – Press Information Bureau
Official Cashless Treatment Scheme Notification – MoRTH
PM-RAHAT Amendment Notification – Gazette of India
