Cashless Treatment for Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025 has been notified

India has introduced a nationwide Cashless Treatment Scheme for Road Accident Victims (launched in 2025), providing up to ₹1.5 lakh coverage for emergency medical care for seven days after an accident. States like Kerala have also announced their own initiatives, such as the Life Saver Scheme in the 2026–27 Budget, offering five days of free treatment in government and selected private hospitals.

National Cashless Treatment Scheme (2025)
- Coverage: Up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim for treatment costs.
- Duration: Maximum of 7 days from the date of accident.
- Emergency Care:
- Stabilization treatment for up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases.
- Up to 48 hours in life-threatening cases.
- Hospitals: Treatment available at empanelled hospitals across India.
- Verification: Victim details verified via police reports and IT-enabled platform.
- Objective: Ensure timely medical care without financial burden, reducing fatalities caused by treatment delays.

Kerala’s Life Saver Scheme (2026–27 Budget)
- Coverage: Cashless treatment for first five days after an accident.
- Allocation: ₹15 crore earmarked for implementation.
- Hospitals: Available in government hospitals and selected private hospitals registered under the scheme.
- Rationale: Kerala records ~48,000 road accidents annually, with many victims unable to access immediate care due to financial constraints.
- Goal: Improve survival rates and reduce long-term disability by ensuring early intervention.

Challenges & Considerations
- Implementation: Ensuring hospitals are properly empanelled and victims are quickly verified.
- Awareness: Victims and families must be informed about the availability of cashless treatment.
- Coordination: Effective collaboration between police, hospitals, and insurance systems is critical.
- Scalability: State-level schemes like Kerala’s need integration with the national platform for seamless coverage.

Key Takeaway
The Cashless Treatment Scheme is a landmark step in India’s road safety and healthcare policy, ensuring that accident victims receive immediate, life-saving care without worrying about costs. Kerala’s Life Saver Scheme adds a strong state-level safety net, reflecting a growing nationwide commitment to reducing road accident fatalities.