PM Rahat Scheme: Check Eligibility, How to Apply and Other Details

 PM RAHAT Scheme: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in its very first set of decisions after shifting to Seva Teerth(New Prime Minister Office) for accident victims to ensure that no life is lost due to lack of immediate medical help under this initiative, accident victims will get cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh.

 PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) Scheme, reflecting a governance approach rooted in Seva – service, compassion and protection for vulnerable citizens. The decision underscores the Government’s commitment to ensuring that no life is lost due to lack of immediate medical assistance after a road accident.

Key Objectives of the PM Rahat Scheme

The primary goal of the PM RAHAT scheme is to reduce mortality rates resulting from road accidents in India. Its key objectives include:

• Immediate Care: Ensuring every road accident victim receives prompt medical attention regardless of their financial status.

• Cashless Treatment: Providing a financial cushion of up to ₹1.5 lakh per person per accident for hospitalization and treatment.

• Universal Coverage: Minimizing the legal and procedural hurdles that often delay emergency care.

• Strengthening Trauma Care: Integrating public and private hospitals into a seamless network for emergency response.

 Benefits of the PM RAHAT Scheme

1. Financial Support: Coverage of medical expenses up to ₹1.5 lakh.

2. Golden Hour Focus: The scheme prioritizes immediate stabilization and treatment within the first hour of the accident.

3. No Advance Payment: Victims do not need to pay upfront deposits at empaneled hospitals for emergency stabilization.

4. Nationwide Access: The scheme is intended to be applicable across all major highways and urban centers in India through a network of trauma centers and hospitals.

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure the scheme reaches those in need, the following eligibility guidelines apply:

• Target Group: Any individual (Indian citizen or foreigner) who meets with a road accident on Indian roads is eligible for emergency stabilization

• Nature of Injury: The scheme covers trauma and injuries specifically resulting from road traffic accidents.

• Hospital Type: Treatment must be sought at a government hospital or an empaneled private hospital participating in the PM RAHAT network.

How to Apply / Avail Treatment

The PM RAHAT scheme is designed to be "auto-activated" in emergency situations to save time. Here is how the process works:

1. Emergency Reporting: When an accident occurs, the victim or a bystander calls the national emergency helpline.

2. Hospital Admission: The victim is transported to the nearest empaneled hospital.

3. Verification: The hospital uses a dedicated portal to register the accident victim. Identification (like Aadhaar) may be used, but treatment will not be denied if ID is not immediately available.

4. Cashless Processing: The hospital provides the necessary treatment, and the costs (up to ₹1.5 lakh) are reimbursed directly by the government through the scheme’s trust/insurance partner.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM RAHAT Scheme, offering cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for road accident victims. This initiative, rooted in 'Seva,' aims to ensure immediate medical assistance and reduce mortality rates. It covers emergency stabilization, integrating public and private hospitals nationwide, with an auto-activated process for swift aid.