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Good health is an important aspect of life, and having easy access to your medical records can significantly improve your healthcare experience. The ABHA Card, also known as the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) or Health ID, is a 14-digit number that acts as your unique identifier to store, access and share your electronic health records. It can simplify the process for availing cashless medical services and treatment up to 5 lacs at participating hospitals.
In this article, we’ll explore things you need to know about the ABHA Card, including ABHA card registration, benefits, eligibility, age limits, and downloading your card.
What is ABHA Card (Ayushman Bharat Health Account or Health ID)
ABHA cards are being created under the Government of India’s ambitious scheme Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The scheme is implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA).
ABHA cards, also known as Health IDs, are free and voluntary. Patients can create their own IDs. With an ABHA ID, users can view summaries of a patient’s medical history, including prescriptions, lab reports, discharge summaries, and other relevant records. These records can be accessed anytime, anywhere, from any device with an internet connection.
The information in your ABHA health ID is protected by strong privacy measures. Only those you consent to can view your information.
Basically, it’s like a digital locker for your health information. You can securely store and share all your health records electronically with healthcare providers.
Here are some key things to remember about the ABHA Card:
- It’s voluntary
- It’s free
- It’s secure
- It’s convenient
Name of the Scheme | ABHA Card or Health ID |
Part Of | National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) |
Implemented | National Health Authority (NHA) |
Comes Under Which Ministry | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
Launch Date of ABDM | 27 September 2021 |
Aim | Improve access to quality healthcare |
Website | https://abdm.gov.in/ |
Toll Free/Helpline Number | 14477 |
Eligibility Criteria For ABHA Card
Every citizen of India can register for an ABHA Card. The eligibility criteria to apply for ABHA card is:
- You must be a resident of India.
- You should have either a valid Aadhaar card or a driving license.
- You should have a mobile phone number linked to your Aadhaar card or driving license (depending on which one you choose to use for registration).
Important Note: If you don’t have an Aadhaar card or driving license, you can still get many of the benefits of the ABHA Card by using a proxy care giver’s ABHA Card to access your health records. A proxy caregiver could be a parent, spouse, or other trusted adult.
Required Documents
Creating a Health ID under ABHA doesn’t require lots of documents. You can register with your AADHAAR or Driving licences and one valid mobile number.
- AADHAAR / Driving Licence
- Phone Number
ABHA Card Registration: Step by Step Process
Registering for your ABHA Card is a quick and easy process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1:
Visit the official ABHA website: Go to ABHA website.
Click on “Create ABHA Number”: This button will be on the homepage.
Step 2:
Choose your ID: You can choose to register using either your Aadhaar card or your driving license. Select the one you prefer and click “Next.”
Step 3:
- Enter your ID number: Type in your Aadhaar number or driving license number, whichever you selected.
- Read the declaration carefully: This explains how your information will be used. Make sure you understand it before proceeding.
- Agree and enter Captcha: After reading the declaration, select “I agree” and then enter the captcha code given there.
Enter OTP: if you are registering for an ABHA card through Driving Licence, you have to enter a mobile number, click on I agree on terms and conditions and enter the correct One-time-password (OTP) received on your mobile number.
Step 4:
- Create your ABHA handle: This is a unique username you’ll use to access your ABHA account. Choose a handle that is easy to remember and includes letters, numbers, and special characters like .(dot), ,(comma), or @(at symbol).
- Verify handle availability: Once you enter your desired handle, the website will tell you if it’s available. If not, choose another one.
Step 5:
- Congratulations! Once you’ve verified your OTP and chosen an available handle, your ABHA Card registration is complete. You can now download your ABHA Card.
How to Download ABHA Card Online
There are two ways to download your ABHA Card:
- Through the ABHA website:
- Log in to your ABHA account using your 14-digit ABHA number and the handle you created during registration.
- Once logged in, click on “View Health Card.” This will display your ABHA Card in PDF format.
- You can then download and save the PDF file to your device.
Using the ABHA mobile app:
– Download the ABHA app from the Google Play Store (for Android devices) or the App Store (for iPhones).
– Open the app and log in using your 14-digit ABHA number and handle.
– Once logged in, navigate to the section where you can view your ABHA Card.
– You’ll be able to download and save the PDF file to your phone.
ABHA Number, ABHA Address and Linking of ABHA Number and ABHA Address
Your ABHA number is your unique key to this digital healthcare ecosystem. It’s a secure 14-digit identifier recognized by hospitals, clinics, and insurers nationwide.
You also get an ABHA address, a self-declared username. It lets you securely share and access your health records electronically, just like ‘yourname@email.com’ lets you manage your inbox.
Your ABHA address can be linked with an ABDM Consent Manager, like “xyz@abdm”. This creates a trusted channel for exchanging your health data with complete privacy. You decide what gets shared, and only with your consent.
Simply create your ABHA number and link it with an ABDM ABHA address. This ensures your medical records are securely stored and accessible only by you and authorized providers.
Key Benefits of ABHA Card
Secure Storage of Digital Health Records
Your ABHA card stores all your health records securely in one place digitally. This includes doctor consultations, lab test results, prescriptions, discharge summaries, and even immunization records.
As per press information bureau (PIB), more than 52.5 crore ABHA cards have been created till now.
Easy & Consent based Access
With the ABHA card, all your information is accessible online anytime, anywhere. This is particularly helpful in emergencies when quick access to your medical history is crucial. With your consent, doctors can access your medical records, allowing them to understand your health background and provide better-informed treatment.
Empowerment Through Information
The ABHA card puts you in control of your health data. You decide which information to share with doctors and healthcare providers. This transparency empowers you to make informed decisions about your health.
Reduced Paperwork
The ABHA card eliminates the need for physical copies of medical records, reducing paperwork and making healthcare management more efficient.
Portability
You can access your medical information from any location with an internet connection, ensuring continuity of care even when you change doctors or hospitals.
Enhanced Telemedicine
Telemedicine, which involves consulting doctors remotely via video conferencing, is becoming increasingly popular. The ABHA card simplifies telemedicine by providing a secure platform to share your medical history with doctors online.
Also Read: Choosing the Right Pathology Lab Software
Security Tips for Using Your ABHA Card
- Keep your ABHA number confidential: Don’t share your ABHA number with anyone you don’t trust.
- Set a strong password for the Health Locker app (if using): Choose a complex password that is difficult to guess and don’t share it with anyone.
- Be cautious about who you grant access to your health.
Can I Opt-out of the ABHA Number?
You have the choice to join ABHA since it’s a free and voluntary program. Also, you can request for permanent deletion or temporary deactivation of your ABHA number at any time.
ABHA Card Registration: Final Words
ABHA card registration is a very easy and fast process. It requires only your mobile number and AADHAAR or driving licence.After registration, you can download ABHA card from the official website or app. This is a great tool to keep your health information safe and easy to access. Remember, getting an ABHA card is free and voluntary.
FAQs
Q1: Does an ABHA number get me benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY)?
Ans: No, ABHA is just an account or a unique number used to store and access all health records of a person. However, to get benefits of the PM-JAY yojana, the person needs to check his eligibility on that scheme and apply for it.
Q2: What is the National Health Authority (NHA)?
Ans: The National Health Authority (NHA), a government agency, oversees India’s flagship public health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). It plays a crucial role in designing the strategy, building the technological infrastructure, and implementing the “Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission” (ABDM) to establish a nationwide digital health ecosystem.
Q3: Does getting an ABHA Health ID card cost anything?
Ans: No, ABHA card or Health ID is completely free and voluntary.
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