What is ABHA? Benefits, Registration & How to Use It?

Ayushman Bharat, including the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), is an Indian government scheme. It makes healthcare digital and paperless. Under this mission, the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) was introduced.

ABHA is a digital health ID, not an insurance card. Creating an ABHA account does not provide any financial or medical coverage. 

PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat) is a separate health coverage scheme. It gives you coverage of up to ₹5,00,000 per family per year to eligible families. 

Key takeaways 

• ABHA is a digital health identity system. Here you can store, access, and share your medical records digitally.
• Registering for ABHA is a simple process. 
• Your health records are shared only with your consent, and you can stop access anytime.

What is an ABHA number?

ABHA stands for Ayushman Bharat Health Account. It is a unique 14-digit digital health ID for individuals. ABDM was nationally launched on September 27, 2021, under which ABHA digital health IDs are issued. The motive for this is to create a secure digital health identity for people. ABHA enables you to store your medical reports and prescriptions online and use them whenever you need. 

What are the benefits of the ABHA?

ABHA offers a paperless, centralized approach to personal health records. Key benefits include:

• Digital Health ID: You get a 14-digit ABHA number. It is used with participating healthcare providers across India.
• Health Records in One Place: Store medical reports, scan reports, vaccination records, and prescriptions digitally.
• Faster Hospital Registration: Use your ABHA details or scan the hospital’s QR code to make registration quicker.
• Easy Sharing of Records: Share your past health records with doctors during consultations when needed.
• Data Privacy: Your health records are shared through a consent-based system, giving you control over who can access them.

It's very simple to access healthcare services and manage medical records with the ABHA portal. 

How to create an ABHA number?

You can create your ABHA number by following these steps:

• Visit the official ABDM website: Go to abha.abdm.gov.in.
• Click on “Create ABHA Number”.
• Choose a verification method: Select Aadhaar Card or Driving Licence.
• Enter your details: Enter the required document number, complete the CAPTCHA, and click “Next”.
• Verify with OTP: Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
• Add contact details: Enter your active mobile number and email address to create your health profile.
• Create your PHR address: Set up your unique Personal Health Record (PHR) address and download your ABHA profile.

This is how you can create your ABHA number and use it whenever you want. 

Eligibility Criteria for ABHA vs. PM-JAY

ABHA and PM-JAY are two different programmes; that's why their eligibility criteria are also different

Who Can Get an ABHA Card?

You are eligible for an ABHA Card if you fulfill the following criteria:

• If you are a legal resident or citizen of India.
• There is no minimum income or employment restrictions.
• There is no age limit. Any person can be eligible for an ABHA Card.

Who Can Get a PM-JAY Ayushman Card?

PM-JAY eligibility is based on applicable government beneficiary databases and scheme criteria. All Indian citizens aged 70 years and above are also eligible irrespective of income.

Who can use ABHA ID?

ABHA ID is accessible to everyone, but there are some people who should definitely go for it.

• People with chronic illness: People who need regular checkups and need their past treatment history every time they visit a doctor. They can go for an ABHA ID. 
• ​Frequent hospital and clinic visitors: Patients who want to avoid carrying bulky paper files on every visit.

There is no specific criterion for an ABHA number; anyone can get it. It is useful for storing your medical data. 

How to link old hospital records to ABHA numbers?

When you go to a new doctor and want to show your old reports, you don't need to carry a file of documents. Here is how you can link old hospital records to ABHA numbers and use these documents whenever you visit a doctor. 

1. Download the official ABHA app on your Mobile phone.
2. Log in to the app by using a 14-digit ABHA ID and password. 
3. You can log in by adding an OTP option.
4. You will see “Link Health Records,” “My Records,” or “Connect Records. 
5. Then enter the name of the hospital where you received treatment.
6. After that, verify your identity. Then confirm to connect your records.
7. When you add OTP received on your mobile number, your medical records are linked to your ABHA number. 

You get complete control of your health data at any time. 

What are the benefits and coverage of PM-JAY?

Here are the benefits that you get with PM -JAY. 

• Health Coverage: You get cashless health coverage of up to ₹5,00,000 per family per year for eligible hospital treatments.
• Hospital Network: You can use this card at government and empanelled private hospitals across India.

Conclusion

It is important to understand the difference between these government healthcare services. PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat Yojana) provides free cashless health coverage of up to ₹5,00,000 to eligible low-income families for hospital treatment. On the other hand, ABHA under ABDM gives people a digital health ID that helps them store and manage their health records online in one place. Creating an ABHA number is completely free and voluntary. The process takes only a few minutes. 

Frequently asked questions 

Is it ok if I don't register for this ABHA digital health account?

The ABHA number is not compulsory. If you do not have this ABHA digital health account, your medical or clinic can not deny you medical treatment. 

What are the eligibility criteria to register for an ABHA number?

Any Indian citizen can register for an ABHA account. There are no income criteria or age limits. You only need an Aadhaar card or a driving licence linked with a mobile number.

Can I delete my ABHA account?

Yes, you can delete your ABHA account because it's totally up to you whether you want to participate in it or not. You can deactivate it temporarily and permanently too. 

What is the benefit of an ABHA number?

You can store your medical records, like reports and prescriptions, here. If you change doctors, you don't need to carry documents; you can easily access medical details from ABHA. Also, the registration of ABHA numbers is very simple.

Can I register for the PM-JAY Ayushman card?

PM-JAY eligibility is based on applicable government beneficiary databases and scheme criteria. All Indian citizens aged 70 years and above are also eligible irrespective of income. PM-JAY eligibility is determined according to the applicable government databases and prescribed eligibility criteria. If you are from any of these categories, you can go for the PM-JAY Ayushman card.

Is the Ayushman Bharat card free?

Yes, the Ayushman Bharat mission is the Government of India's scheme for the lower section of India. PM-JAY provides eligible beneficiaries with cashless health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for covered hospitalisation expenses. 

What is the difference between PMJAY and ABHA?

Any Indian citizen can make an ABHA Card. You can save and access your medical reports with an ABHA Card. PM-JAY is a scheme through which people get the benefit of medical insurance upto 5 lakh. 

Is it possible to revoke access to my health data after access has been granted?

Yes, the Ayushman Bharat health account is based on a consent-based data sharing model. So you can easily revoke access to your health data after access has been granted. 

How does the Ayushman card work?

Your Ayushman card is a cashless health insurance card. Eligible beneficiaries can use the Ayushman Card to access benefits under PM-JAY. You can get medical treatment up to 5,00,000 with the Ayushman card.

What if I don't find my name in the Ayushman Bharat scheme?

If you are seeing “no beneficiary found” error in the list, then it is possible that your name may not be in the list. In this case, you can visit the nearest common service centre and ask them about enrollment in the Ayushman Bharat scheme. You can also visit any public or Ayushman network hospital and get help of arogya Mitra.