Road Accident Victims to Get Free Cashless Treatment Under Ayushman Bharat: Nitin Gadkari

Further, Gadkari explained that the scheme covers treatment for individuals involved in road accidents caused by motor vehicles, regardless of the type of road.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has announced the provision of cashless treatment for road accident victims under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

In a written reply to Parliament, Gadkari stated that the Transport Ministry has developed and begun implementing a scheme on a pilot basis in Chandigarh and Assam.

Further, Gadkari explained that the scheme covers treatment for individuals involved in road accidents caused by motor vehicles, regardless of the type of road.

The ministry is implementing this program in collaboration with the National Health Authority (NHA).

"Under this scheme, the eligible victims are administered Health Benefits Packages relating to trauma and polytrauma care at empanelled hospitals under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), up to a maximum of Rs. 1.5 lakh for a maximum period of 7 days from the date of the accident," said the minister in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

About the Cashless Treatment Scheme

Reportedly, the scheme is being administered under the aegis of the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, established under section 164B of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The sources of income and the utilization of funds are detailed in the Central Motor Vehicles (Motor Vehicle Accident Fund) Rules, 2022.

Under this scheme, eligible victims receive Health Benefits Packages related to trauma and polytrauma care at impaneled hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), with coverage up to INR 1.5 Lakh for a maximum period of seven days from the date of the accident.

Moreover, NHA, under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is responsible for the program's implementation in coordination with local police, impaneled hospitals, State Health Agencies, the National Informatics Centre, and the General Insurance Council.

Minister Gadkari stated that, in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Act, of 1988, the pilot program for cashless treatment supports victims of road accidents caused by motor vehicles, regardless of the location of the accident.

The scheme aims to reduce fatalities and improve treatment outcomes for road accident victims, according to the transport minister.

Launched in September 2018 as part of the National Health Policy 2017, Ayushman Bharat is one of the largest health assurance schemes globally. It currently caters to 550 million individuals or roughly 120 million families.

As of December 20, 2023, around 28.45 Cr Ayushman Bharat cards have been issued, with 9.38 Cr generated in 2023 alone. The coverage provided is INR 5 Lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.