Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) Card - Complete Process Explained

The Ayushman Bharat Health Account, also known as ABHA, Health ID, or ABHA number, which is an identification number assigned to individuals who apply for it. This 14-digit unique identifier allows easy access to past medical records, eliminating the need to maintain physical paper records. Individuals can securely access their health records digitally from anywhere in India using the ABHA card that helps streamlining the management of their medical history and ensuring easy retrieval of vital health information. 

Important Details About ABHA Card

The following are some of the vital details about ABHA Card:

1. ABHA number is a unique 14-digit that acts as an identifier for updating health records across various health service providers.
2. An ABHA address, created during registration, accompanies the ABHA number.
3. The ABHA is used to access the Health Information Exchange & consent manager, which is a self-declared username, similar to an email address
4. The medical records between patients and healthcare providers are stored and shared within the PHR app/Health Locker

ABHA Card Features 

Benefits of ABHA Card

The benefits of ABHA card are mentioned below -

1. Provides a unique and trustworthy identity to users.
2. Enrollment in Personal Health Records (PHR) applications with ease, such as the ABDM ABHA application for sharing health data/
3. Provides hassle free access to all healthcare facilities, such as diagnoses, tests, medicine prescriptions, etc.

1. The Health Facility Registry (HFR) can be accessed by of all the government and private medical facilities.
   

Documents Needed for ABHA Card Download via Aadhaar

In order to complete the ABHA card registration process, you will only need two documents: 

• Aadhar Card
•  Driving licence

How to Create ABHA Number through an Aadhaar Card 

The procedure that must be followed to apply for the ABHA ID with the help of an Aadhaar Card is mentioned below: 

1. Visit the official website of ABHA.ABDM  

1. On the homepage, select the option, 'Create ABHA Number’. 

1. Select the option Aadhaar card and enter your Aadhaar number. 

1. An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar registered number. 

1. Enter OTP and Aadhaar registered mobile number  

1. Fill in the communication details, and your ABHA ID will be generated. 

Create ABHA Number using Driving License 

To create the Abha ID through Driving License, you need to follow the given below steps: 

1. Go to the official website of ABHA.ABDM and click 'Create ABHA Number’. 

1. Select the option Driving License  

1. Fill in your registered mobile number and an OTP will be sent to your number 

1. Enter the OTP, fill-in the required details and upload the picture of your Driving License 

1. Once you complete all the steps, your ABHA ID will be created. 

How to Download ABHA Card Online? 

ABHA identity card is a key part of the Ayushman Bharat program that helps access high-quality medical care. Individuals can apply for and download their ABHA health card online. 

Here are the following ways to download your ABHA health card: 

1. Visit the official ABDM website at abdm.gov.in 

1. Log in to your ABHA account by filling in your mobile number and captcha code.

1. Enter the OTP sent on your mobile number and click on download ABHA card. 

Note: Android users can also download their card by installing and login into ABHA app from the Play Store. 

How to Complete ABHA KYC and Download via Aadhaar

In order to complete the ABHA e-KYC, you can follow the given below steps: 

1. Visit the official website of ABHA and login into your account 

1. Click on the option, Re-KYC verification. 

1. Enter your Aadhaar number and accept the terms and conditions. 

1. Click on next and enter the OTP sent on your registered number. 

1. You will get a notification for completing the e-KYC verification. 

 ABHA vs PM-JAY : Download & Benefits Comparison for Seniors

The government took a significant step to improve the healthcare of older people. The government made new changes in the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) on 11 September 2024. These changes will benefit 4.5 crore families and 6 crore senior citizens across India.  

Important Updates: 

1. All the senior citizens who are 70 years old or above are eligible to get free health insurance of up to Rs.5 lakh per year, regardless of their income. They will receive a special AB PM-JAY card to access free medical treatment. 

1. Senior citizens who already hold an Ayushman card will be given an extra Rs.5 lakh only for their own use. They cannot share that amount with other family members who are below the age of 70. 

1. Those citizens who have private health insurance or are under ESI (Employees' State Insurance) can also avail themselves of the AB PM-JAY benefits. 

1. Senior citizens who have access to other government health schemes (like CGHS, ECHS, or CAPF) can either choose their existing coverage or choose AB PM-JAY. 

ABDM's Role in ABHA Card Creation & Download

1. ABDM aims to digitise healthcare and create a standardised, interoperable digital health ecosystem in India, developing core modules for registries of health facilities and professionals to facilitate seamless interactions between digital health systems. 

1. Last month, the Union government expanded the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to provide free healthcare coverage to individuals over 70 years, regardless of income. 

1. Google's research team is collaborating with the National Health Authority (NHA) to support the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) by developing tools for easier integration with the ABDM system, as reported on Google's blog. 

1. Google claims that with these new tools, integration timelines have been reduced from six months to less than two weeks. 

1. Through a partnership with Eka Care, an authorised issuer of digital health IDs, Google plans to make ABHA ID cards accessible via Google Wallet by next year. 

1. This integration will allow over 600 million ABHA ID holders to access their cards on their smartphones easily. 

1. ABHA Health IDs will allow users to securely share and receive their health records, such as prescriptions and lab results, with partner healthcare organisations across India. 

1. Users must authenticate their device through a fingerprint, PIN, or passcode to access their ABHA Health ID in Google Wallet, ensuring the privacy of sensitive health information. 

Eligibility for ABHA Card Creation

If any of the following scenarios resonate with you, creating an ABHA account is a wise choice:

1. Early Access Advantage: Creating your ABHA account now gives you access to services that may soon become mandatory, much like Aadhaar or PAN. Imagine entering a hospital with your ABHA card, sharing your healthcare data instantly with a professional, and receiving treatment without needing to carry records or remember your medical history.
2. Embracing Digital Innovation: India is embracing the digital health transformation. Creating an ABHA ID lets you experience digital healthcare tools firsthand, especially since prominent hospitals like AIIMS are already adopting ABHA for healthcare services.
3. Preparing for Future Benefits: By setting up your ABHA number, you'll be well-positioned to take advantage of future benefits in India's digital health landscape.
4. Integrated Hospital Experience: If your hospital is ABHA-integrated, you can conveniently access your hospital documents through a Personal Health Record (PHR) app. It's a simple way to manage and track your medical history and treatments.

Every Indian citizen can benefit from an ABHA account. Whether you're looking for immediate convenience, future benefits, digital health tools, or streamlined hospital services, ABHA provides valuable support for your healthcare needs.

Importance of ABHA Card for Health Records

Here are some of the vital reasons why you need to have an ABHA Card: 

1. Individual health records can be tracked and accessed digitally using ABHA digital Health ID enabling you to share them with any healthcare system through ABHA registration. 

1. ABHA card enables access to verified doctors, medical examiners, and other healthcare professionals for consultations through the Healthcare Professional Registry (HPR) which is a database of licensed medical professionals. 

1. Helps linking and maintaining your personal health records with the ABHA Address (Health ID) card to keep track of all your medical history, including treatments and consultations. 

1. Make your medical data accessible only with your consent, and you can revoke access at any time, ensuring privacy and control over your information. 

1. The digital platform ensures control over who can access your medical information by providing robust encryption and security measures. 

1. The ABHA Card ensures voluntary activation and de-activation as registration for the ABHA health ID card is optional and individuals can choose to register or delete their information from the ABHA database if they wish to opt-out. 

1. Adding a Nominee is easy with ABHA card as individuals will be able to include a nominee for your ABHA account, a feature currently in development. 

1. Child ABHA can also be availed which is an ABHA digital health card for your child to maintain a medical history record from birth, a facility still under development. 

Track ABHA Benefits & Claims with Digital Tools