Assam: Centre introduces cashless treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh for road accident victims

Digital Desk: Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), road accident victims will now receive free medical treatment worth up to Rs 1.5 lakh. This initiative, aimed at enhancing emergency healthcare for accident victims, has been launched on a pilot basis in Chandigarh and Assam.

The scheme offers cashless treatment for trauma and polytrauma care at empanelled hospitals for up to seven days from the accident date. This coverage is provided under the Health Benefits Packages of AB PM-JAY, ensuring that victims can access necessary medical services without financial burden.

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced this development in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. The scheme operates under the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, established by Section 164B of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. This fund's income sources and utilization are governed by the Central Motor Vehicles (Motor Vehicle Accident Fund) Rules, 2022.

The implementation of the scheme involves the National Health Authority (NHA), the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and other key stakeholders including local police, empanelled hospitals, State Health Agencies, the National Informatics Centre, and the General Insurance Council. The pilot program, which covers road accidents regardless of where they occur, highlights a significant step towards more comprehensive emergency care.

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) itself provides a health insurance cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. This scheme benefits millions of helpless families by offering cashless and paperless access to medical services at the point of care.

By extending coverage to road accident victims, AB PM-JAY aims to bridge critical gaps in emergency healthcare, providing timely and essential treatment during the crucial initial days following an accident.