What is an ABHA Card?
The ABHA or the Ayushman Bharat Health Account card, is an initiative of the National Health Authority of India. It is a unique 14-digit identification number called the ABHA ID that can be easily generated by any citizen of India using his Aadhaar number or driving licence.
Managed under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which is a digital health initiative of the National Health Authority, ABHA aims to make the healthcare ecosystem more centralised and convenient. This 14-digit unique number is linked to the ABHA digital health ID and provides easy, digital access to all medical records, prescriptions, diagnoses, and health history. By storing the medical history of patients on a single platform, the ABHA card eliminates the need for physical documents and reduces the chances of errors in treatments.
ABHA ID- Important Details
The process to apply for an ABHA card is fairly simple. Below are some important details that you need to know before applying:
Components
| Details
|
|---|
Scheme
| Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA Card)
|
Unique Feature
| Digital Health Account
|
Launched By
| Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
|
Launched on
| September 27, 2021
|
Application Fee
| Free of Cost
|
Documents Required
| Aadhaar Card/ Driving License
|
Why Link Your Health Records with ABHA – Top Benefits
1. Digitised Health Records
Linking your health records to ABHA allows you to easily access as well as track your health history and records in a digital format from any location. You can conveniently access and share your records like tests, diagnoses, medicine prescriptions, etc., with any hospitals, clinics, or doctors through your ABHA registration.
2. Easy Access to Medicare Benefits
Once linked with your health records, the ABHA health ID includes details of all your healthcare-related benefits like health insurance schemes and public health programs. This saves you the hassle of managing separate documents or accounts for different Medicare benefits. With your ABHA ID, you get one unified way to easily access all your health benefits.
3. Convenient Access to Verified Doctors
Through the Healthcare Professional Registry (HPR)- a database of licensed medical professionals, ABHA allows you to consult with healthcare personnel and doctors who are verified and trustworthy. Whether you need an in-person or online consultation, you can rest assured that anyone you connect with through the ABHA system is qualified and experienced.
4. Creates a Unique Identity
The ABHA health card gives every citizen a single, unique identity using a 14-digit identification number. This ABHA number can provide you easy access to Medicare services at hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers across India. This unique identification number when linked to your health records eliminates confusion caused by multiple health records stored in different locations and helps reduce error, making your healthcare experience smoother.
5. Faster Insurance Claim Processing
When you link your health insurance policy to your ABHA ID, the claim process for your insurance can become a lot more seamless and faster. Through your ABHA ID, hospitals can directly and easily access your insurance details, which in turn speeds up the approval of cashless claims.
How to Apply for the ABHA Card Online?
Applying for the ABHA card online is easy with your Aadhaar card or driving licence by following the steps given below.
- Visit the official website of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) at https://healthid.ndhm.gov.in/.
- Click on the ‘Create ABHA Number’ option on the website.
- Choose your preferred ID (Aadhaar card or driving licence) to create the unique 14-digit ABHA ID number.
- Provide your official mobile number on which you will receive an OTP.
- Once you confirm your mobile number with the OTP, you will be directed to a 'National Authority Form' page.
- Fill in the required personal details and ensure that the information is correct and up to date.
- You can now download the ABHA health card from the website.
Conclusion
Linking your health records with ABHA offers substantial benefits, from convenient access to verified doctors and Medicare benefits to faster insurance claim processing. Incorporating the ABHA into your healthcare strategy helps you take control of your wellness journey, providing a reliable and secure way to manage records and access essential healthcare services.
If you haven’t registered for your ABHA card yet, take the first step toward efficient, affordable, and medical management and become part of the digital healthcare revolution. Prevention is, after all, better than cure!
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