A notified cashless-treatment framework is available for road accident victims, subject to requirements concerning designated hospitals, covered treatment and verification. It should not be understood as a guarantee of unlimited free treatment at every hospital.
Understand the law and process
The scheme notified in 2025 provides a framework for cashless treatment for motor-vehicle road accidents, up to a prescribed limit and during a specified initial period. Under the original scheme, the limit is up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim and a maximum of seven days from the accident; also check the current operational instructions. Hospital participation and the case-verification process are important. Scheme assistance, motor accident compensation and health insurance are separate arrangements. Do not mechanically apply to this treatment scheme the condition that the offending vehicle must be unidentified, which applies only to hit-and-run compensation. Treatment is the priority in an emergency; do not refrain from seeking assistance because of paperwork.
Further details: What factors may affect the outcome?
Ask the hospital helpdesk about scheme eligibility and designated status. If the patient’s identity is not available, ask the staff to explain the prescribed emergency process. Where possible, clarify in advance how expenses beyond the covered limit will be treated. Accurate recording of the accident date and time in ambulance, police and hospital records can help with subsequent verification.
What should you do?
- Get immediate medical help and ask the hospital’s scheme/helpdesk about cashless eligibility.
- Provide the available accident and patient details and check the status of verification.
- If there is a refusal or billing dispute, obtain the reason in writing and check the scheme grievance process and other remedies.
Which documents should you keep?
Keep the hospital admission records, accident details, police/ambulance records, bills and scheme status.
Hypothetical example
A passenger was taken to a participating hospital after an accident. Along with understanding the limits of the cashless cover, it was necessary to clarify separately how treatment after seven days would be paid for; do not assume that the entire course of longer treatment is automatically covered.
Does receiving cashless treatment end the question of MACT compensation?
No. Treatment assistance and claims for damages/compensation are separate; questions of applicable adjustment and evidence must still be considered.
Sources and related rules
- MoRTH Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme 2025
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — Sections 134A, 161, 164–166
Editorial review: October 26, 2026. This is general legal information. The outcome may vary depending on the facts of the case, applicable state law and subsequent amendments.