Governments and private companies in India are working towards ensuring that the healthcare industry is moving toward a more integrated and accessible system where patients no longer need to carry bulky medical files or worry about lost prescriptions.

One such initiative is the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card, which the government introduced under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). This card provides a unique registration number, which allows you to store, access, and share your health records digitally. Whether it's for hospitalisation, diagnostic tests, or routine check-ups, the ABHA card ensures retrieval of medical information without the hassle of carrying physical documents.

What is ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account)?

The Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) is a government initiative to create a centralised health record system. Once you register, you get a unique 14-digit identification number, and ABHA stores and manages your medical records digitally. This ensures that hospitals and doctors can access your health data when they need it. Whether you are hospitalised or going through routine consultations, having an ABHA helps you maintain an organised medical history and avoid redundant tests and procedures.

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What is the ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) Card?

Just like any ID card, the ABHA card is your digital health identity. It links all your medical records in one place with a unique 14-digit number. This helps consolidate past medical treatments, medicines, diagnostic reports, and hospitalisation details. So, using this card, you can share your records online, eliminating the need to carry paper files.

What are the Features of the ABHA Card?

The ABHA card offers several features to help you manage your health records efficiently. We’ve mentioned a few of them below:

  1. Digital Health Records: Your medical history is stored digitally, making it easy to access when you visit different doctors or diagnostic facilities. This ensures continuity of care and eliminates the need for duplicate tests.
  2. Data shared only on a need-to-know basis: Your health data is shared only with your approval, ensuring confidentiality. You can provide or revoke access anytime, giving you full control over your health information.
  3. Portability: Your health records will stay intact whether you move cities or change doctors. This eliminates the hassle of carrying documents and ensures better continuity of care.
  4. ABHA Address: Your ABHA address, just like an email ID or a UPI ID, lets you share your data with the hospital/doctor, making it easier to manage your data.

What are the Benefits of the ABHA Card?

The ABHA card benefits patients, doctors and hospitals – the three major stakeholders of your health. Here are some of its advantages:

  1. Simplified Services: By having all your health records in one place, you avoid unnecessary paperwork and repeated diagnostic tests for better treatment.
  2. Better Clinical Decision-Making: Doctors can make more informed treatment choices with access to your complete medical history, reducing the chance of error.
  3. Greater Transparency: With real-time access to your health records, you can track your medical history and make well-informed decisions when it comes to your health.
  4. Linkage to Health Programs: Your ABHA card can be linked to government health schemes and insurance programs, which makes it easier to access your benefits & details without delays.
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What are the Drawbacks of the ABHA Card?

While there are advantages, we are concerned about one aspect, i.e. data security. With medical data being stored digitally, there's always the risk of data breaches, no matter how safe you are. To prevent misuse, you must stay vigilant about where and how you share your ABHA details. 

Apart from this, not all hospitals or clinics are yet fully equipped to handle digital records, which may lead to potential inefficiencies in the system. However, we still feel that ABHA is a step in the right direction, and creating an ABHA account has more pros than cons.

How to Create an ABHA Card? 

Creating an ABHA Card is quite straightforward. You can do it online or walk into a hospital/clinic that registers the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA). Here’s an overview of how to do both of them:

Online:

  1. Visit the official ABHA portal.
  2. Click 'Create your ABHA now' and choose 'Generate via Aadhaar.'
  3. Enter your Aadhaar number and verify using the OTP sent to your registered mobile.
  4. After this, you must enter your details and create your ABHA address.
  5. Download your ABHA card for use.

Offline:

  1. Visit a participating facility under the ABDM network.
  2. Present a government-issued ID, such as your driving license or Aadhaar card.
  3. Your details will be verified, and the staff will assist in creating your ABHA card.

How to Manage Your ABHA Address?

Once your ABHA address is created, you have complete control over it through the official ABHA portal. If you no longer wish to use the ABHA card, you can temporarily deactivate it, allowing you to pause its usage while retaining the option to reactivate it. Or permanently delete it.

However, it's also important to remember that once you delete your ABHA account, your health records stored under the ABHA system may not be restored. Keeping your information up-to-date is important to avoid any confusion during hospital visits, insurance claims, and medical emergencies.

ABHA and its Integration with Health Insurance Companies

The ABHA card connects you with various medical facilities, including hospitals, diagnostic centres, and some of the best health insurers. This integration simplifies procedures such as hospital admissions, insurance claims, and consultations and provides prompt access to your health records. Whether you require emergency treatment or routine medical care, your ABHA card will ensure your health data is readily available.

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Conclusion

The ABHA card is a practical solution for maintaining your medical records. It eliminates your need to carry bulky folders and makes it convenient to share your medical information anywhere. Ultimately, it is up to you to create an ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account); if you’re comfortable with sharing your data, it’s a no-brainer.

Frequently Asked Questions about ABHA Card

Is the ABHA card mandatory?

No, registering for an ABHA card is voluntary and not mandatory.

Are there any charges for creating an ABHA card?

No, obtaining an ABHA card is free of cost.

Can I delete my ABHA ID?

Yes, you can choose to deactivate or permanently delete your ABHA number.