852ABHA: The Backbone of India’s Digital Healthcare Ecosystem

What is digital healthcare?

 

In the last decade, technology usage has witnessed rapid escalation in every sector. The healthcare sector is not far behind, as technology has taken over this sector to create seamless digital healthcare or digital health systems.

This system uses various technologies like mobile health, telehealth services, health information technology, etc., to establish strong communications between doctors and patients. The introduction of the digital healthcare system has created affordable and sustainable medicine services for everyone. Now, with the assistance of digital-health patients can easily communicate with their healthcare providers. On the other hand, doctors can also easily comprehend the health of their patients and can treat them accordingly.

 

What is Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA)?

 

In 2021, the Indian Government introduced the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card, a digital health scheme. This method transforms the way medical records are accessed and managed by most Indians. Predominantly, an individual's ABHA is an identifiable 14-digit number that gives access to a digital health repository.

Such advanced technology has been developed under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to create a robust digital health infrastructure in India. ABHA works as a personalised locker that helps users access their past medical history, including doctor prescriptions, test reports, and various other treatment attributes.

Hence, the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ditches the traditional method of preserving medical prescriptions, health reports, and other health-related documents. This is because all of these documents can be accessed virtually with the help of the Ayushman Bharat Health Card.

 

How is ABHA contributing to the digital healthcare ecosystem in India?

 

In the past few years, the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) has turned out to be one of the key parts of the digital healthcare ecosystem in India. It has contributed a lot to the healthcare system in different ways. Some of the contributions include:

• ABHA has helped numerous migrant workers quickly access healthcare facilities even if they are working away from their home state. This is because all medical histories and other documents are digitally stored in the Ayushman Bharat Health Account.
• Most healthcare prescriptions and documents are stored digitally in the Ayushman Bharat Health Account, which helps the chambers and hospitals improve their operations and become more efficient.
• ABHA helps aggregate health data. This data further assists the central government in making appropriate policies through the use of population health trends, disease and treatment patterns, or effectiveness analyses.
• ABHA also has an option for doctors to link their details. This data helps several patients find out about nearby doctor's chambers and hospitals.
• ABHA makes it easier for cardholders to log in to a multitude of health insurance schemes, ensuring the processes are made easier. This also encourages the digitisation of settlement claims.
• The ABHA is also integrated with various schemes launched by the Indian Government. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is one of many schemes that helps in better monitoring and delivery of healthcare services.
• ABHA also carefully maintains the privacy and data of patients. While complying with regulatory guidelines, data on ABHA remains safe and can only be shared with relevant parties after getting consent from the account holder.

 

Conclusion

 

ABHA provides numerous advantages that make it a revolutionary tool in the Indian medical sector. With this card, you gain access to a streamlined healthcare service, ranging from cashless treatment at enrolled hospitals to easy claim settlement. Additionally, you can eliminate the stress of managing and storing your medical records as well by allowing ABHA to handle them for you.

 

FAQs

 

1. What is the registration fee to create an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA)?

Creating an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) does not require a registration fee. The ABHA card is completely free of charge.

2. Does the ABHA card provide any benefits to its holders?

Besides access to a streamlined repository of medical documents, ABHA helps underprivileged cardholders with special government schemes that can help reduce their financial constraints.

3. What is the maximum income limit for eligibility for an ABHA card?

Everyone who is between 16 to 59 years old can receive an ABHA card only if their annual income is less than INR 2,50,000.

4. Can we use the ABHA card in private hospitals?

Yes, the ABHA card can be used in both government as well as private hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat Health Scheme.