Balasaheb Thackeray Accidental Insurance Scheme 2026 - Free Cashless Treatment up to Rs 1 Lakh for Road Accident Victims

Maharashtra government has raised the treatment cover under Balasaheb Thackeray Accidental Insurance Scheme from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh for road accident victims. Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar confirmed this during a review meeting in April 2025 and asked officials to make sure every victim gets cashless treatment on time.

Scheme was launched by Maharashtra government on 16 September 2020 to help road accident victims get free and timely treatment. It runs under State Health Assurance Society and is linked with hospital network of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. Health department has now brought more hospitals under this cover and increased the amount victims can get without paying from their own pocket.

Balasaheb Thackeray Accidental Insurance Scheme 2026

Number of hospitals listed under this scheme has gone up from 1,792 to 4,180 across Maharashtra. This means a road accident victim now has a much better chance of finding a covered hospital close to the accident spot, which matters a lot during the golden hour, the first few hours after an injury when quick treatment can save a life.

Health department has already given out around Rs 1,300 crore to hospitals under this scheme since March 2025, and more money will be released whenever hospitals need it. A committee has also been formed to look at adding more treatment procedures, including costly ones like organ transplants, and to review the rates paid to hospitals. This committee has to give its report within a month.

Who Can Get Benefit under this Scheme

Any person who meets with a road accident inside Maharashtra can get treatment under this scheme, even if that person belongs to another state or country. Only condition is that accident should have happened on a road within Maharashtra borders.

What Gets Covered and What Does Not

Cover includes admission in ICU or ward, treatment for fractures, surgeries needed right after accident, and meals given during hospital stay. Earlier around 74 treatment procedures were listed under scheme, and this number is set to grow once new committee submits its report.

Some type of accidents stay outside this scheme. Below are cases not covered under it:

• Accidents that happen inside a factory or industrial unit during work, since these come under separate labour welfare rules.
• Railway accidents, which are handled through railway claims and insurance instead of this state scheme.
• Injuries at home or in situations not connected to a road accident, such as a fall inside the house.

Documents Needed at Hospital

Hospital staff usually ask for a few basic papers before starting cashless treatment. Keep these ready if possible:

• Aadhaar card or any other identity proof of victim, to confirm identity and address.
• Copy of FIR or accident intimation given to police, which hospitals use to record case as a road accident.
• Hospital admission and discharge papers, since these get linked to claim raised with State Health Assurance Society.

How Victims Get Treatment under this Scheme

STEP 1 - Take injured person to nearest hospital listed under the scheme. Many big government and private hospitals across Maharashtra are on this list now that hospital count has grown to 4,180.

STEP 2 - Hospital records case as a road accident and starts treatment right away without asking for advance payment, since this is a cashless facility.

STEP 3 - Hospital submits treatment bill and case papers to State Health Assurance Society, which settles payment directly with hospital under Rs 1 lakh cover.

STEP 4 - If a family member wants to raise a complaint about denial of treatment or any other issue, they can call scheme's help number given by health department.

Why Government Runs this Scheme

Around 40,000 people get hurt and close to 13,000 people die every year in road accidents on state highways and rural roads of Maharashtra. Many of these deaths can be stopped if injured person gets treatment fast during golden hour. Scheme was named after Balasaheb Thackeray, and it works along with central government's Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, which gives accident insurance cover through a small yearly premium. Hospitals under this state scheme are also part of network used for Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, so many families already covered under that health scheme get faster verification here too.

FAQ's

Is Balasaheb Thackeray Accidental Insurance Scheme still running in 2026?

Yes, scheme is active and cover was increased to Rs 1 lakh in April 2025. Health department is still adding hospitals and reviewing rates through a special committee.

What is maximum amount a victim can get under this scheme?

Victim can get free cashless treatment worth up to Rs 1 lakh at listed hospitals, higher than earlier limit of Rs 30,000.

Does this scheme cover accident victims from other states?

Yes, any person who meets with a road accident within Maharashtra can use this scheme, regardless of which state that person belongs to.

Are industrial or railway accidents covered under this scheme?

No, this scheme covers only road accidents. Industrial mishaps and railway accidents are handled under separate rules.