Digital Health ID Card: Benefits & How to Apply Online?
A Digital Health ID Card is a part of India’s massive digital revolution in the healthcare sector.
Create your Digital Health ABHA ID today
Create your Digital Health ABHA ID today
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Digitisation has revolutionised the way we transact and do business in India. And, the healthcare ecosystem is not far behind in embracing technology and digitised healthcare.
In an effort to digitise the healthcare system in the country, the Central Government has launched the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) or National Digital Health Mission (NDHM).
The mission’s objective is to issue digital health ID cards for all citizens in the country and to help hospitals, insurance providers, and health ID cardholders access health records online in a secure and safe environment. Through this article, you learn how to apply for a digital health ID online and its benefits.
Overview of a Digital Health ID card
Digital health ID card, is a digital identification card having identifying data (such as health records) about the cardholder. The health ID card is utilised for a hassle-free procedure to digitally access and share the cardholder’s health records.
What is a Digital Health ID card? | The Digital Health ID is a randomly generated unique 14-digit number utilised for identifying individuals, verifying them, and accessing their health records (only with their consent) across different healthcare stakeholders and systems.
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Who can apply for a Digital Health ID card? | Anyone interested in creating a Digital Health ID and wishes to have their medical records available electronically should create a digital ID card. |
How to apply for the Digital Health ID card | The health ID is created by using a person’s basic details and Aadhaar or mobile number. Through this digital ID, cardholders have the option to link all of their health records digitally.
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How does a Digital Health ID card work? | The card enables the cardholder to interact with verified health service providers and healthcare professionals and receive medical prescriptions, lab reports, and diagnoses.
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How does NDHM work?
NDHM or National Digital Health Mission is otherwise known as the Ayushman Bharat Health Mission. The mission was formulated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to provide the required assistance for the integration of digital health infrastructure in India.
The digital health identification is linked to the NDHM that acts as a consent manager. The digital platform will ask for the patient’s permission and allow a seamless flow of personal health details from the Personal Health Records module through digital highways.
Here are the main functions of the NDHM.
Your information related to health services shall be provided through a mobile app along with the details of doctors.
All details related to the medical treatment of the digital health cardholder is recorded and stored digitally.
Medical documents such as x-rays and other diagnostic reports are stored in the holder’s account for future reference.
Doctors can access the diagnostic reports, treatments and other medical files of the person through the app.
Doctors can also register as Digi Doctors along with the facility of their digital signatures.
Anyone can voluntarily register for a digital health card.
What is ABHA?
What exactly is an ABHA account? Well, as of September 27th, 2021, the Indian Government initiated the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission (ABDM). The mission's aim? To provide every Indian with a digital health ID, known as the Ayushmann Bharat Health Account ABHA Card. Imagine it as a 14-digit superpower, granting you access to your medical records anytime, anywhere across India. Now, sharing your health information with doctors across the nation becomes effortless, regardless of the distance.
What are the benefits of creating your ABHA ID?
With an ABHA card, you get the option to link your PHR with the digital health ID to generate long-term health history. Here are more benefits of the NDHM ID card.
Store with Confidence
Say bye to the headaches of sorting out the hassle of managing physical health records. Through ABHA you can store all your documents digitally in one place. These documents may include hospital records, laboratory diagnostics and health insurance details. Moreover, your data is secured and you are the only one who has access.
Seamless Document Sharing
You can not only store but easily share your health records as well. Simply allow access to your healthcare providers and they can view your documents in a secure manner, thereby saving you time and effort.
Cashless Claims Approval
By linking your insurance policy to your ABHA ID, hospitals can get your policy information swiftly, making cashless claims approval process easy and ensuring hassle-free healthcare experience.
Unified Health Interface (UHI)
The UHI initiative is a part of the national plan that aims at using technology to enhance the healthcare system in the country. It tries to fix the problems in healthcare by making it more accessible, affordable, and of higher quality. Through a unified platform that brings everything together, the UHI aims to fill the gaps in healthcare, to make sure that patients are cared for at priority.
How to apply for health ID card online?
You can apply for the health ID in different ways.
Through the ACKO App
Through the Health ID website
Through the ABHA mobile application
Participating health facilities (public/private hospitals, health and wellness centres, and community health centres
Documents required for Health ID registration
There is no need for the submission of physical documents to apply for the digital health ID card. You need to provide any of the following IDs to generate your health ID.
Aadhaar number
Mobile number
Driving Licence (for generating the enrolment number)
Eligibility criteria:
Anyone who wishes to participate in the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is eligible to apply for the health ID. There are no specific criteria to generate a health ID card.
Why choose ACKO for creating your Health ID?
With ABHA, you can easily get your health ID card. The process is as easy as it can be. Just use the ACKO app and you will find your ABHA ID ready in just a few clicks. However, what is the process of smoothing even more? That is where ACKO comes into play.
ACKO isn't any insurance company – it's your best friend, who will always be available when you need them. We are aware that your time is precious, therefore the ABHA ID creation process within our app has been made simple and easy to use. Fast, intuitive, and reliable – that is what ACKO stands for.
And it doesn't even stop there. ACKO will make every effort to ensure that you have the best digital experience in health care. Ranging from the seamless claims processing, round-the-clock support and other healthcare-related services that you need, we have you covered every time.
Digital health ID card registration online process
You can generate your digital health ID card by using your Aadhaar, Driving Licence or mobile number.
Steps to create ABHA ID from the ACKO App
Here are the two ways in which you can create your ABHA account from ACKO.
Using the ACKO app
Take a look at the following steps to create your ABHA account through the ACKO app.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Log in to ACKO profile from the ACKO app and tap on “Your ABHA Cards”
Verify the Aadhaar number with the One Time Password (OTP).
Now you can view and download your ABHA card. To create a new one, follow this process.
Select or add members by tapping the ‘Add’ button. Then verify their Aadhaar number, and tap ‘Get ABHA card’.
You can also invite your family members or friends to create an ABHA account. You should add some details as shown in the following image and we will send them an invitation.\
The ABHA card will be ready for download in a few seconds. Repeat the process for other members.
Through the ACKO website
Here are the steps to create your ABHA account via the ACKO website.
Step 1: On the website, look for the widget or a form similar to the following image
Complete the remaining steps from the ACKO app. It is way faster!. Please scroll up to Step 2 (app process) for completing the registration.
Via Aadhaar
Here are the steps to apply online for an NDHM health card 2021 through your Aadhaar number.
Step 1: Visit the NDHM official website (https://abdm.gov.in/) and select “Generate ID”.
Step 2: Select “Generate via Aadhaar”, and enter your Aadhaar number on the new page and click on submit.
Step 3: An One Time Password (OTP) is sent to your registered mobile number that needs to be entered in the required field.
Step 4: Enter your personal information and choose a username and password to create your digital ID.
Step 5: Log into your account with the newly created username and password again, and provide your address.
Step 6: Download your digital health ID card for future reference.
Via Driving Licence
Here are the steps to apply online for an NDHM health card 2021 through your Driving Licence (DL).
Step 1: Visit the NDHM official website (https://abdm.gov.in/) and select “Generate ID”.
Step 2: Select “Generate via Driving Licence”. A popup window informs you that once you submit the details, you will receive an enrolment number.
You need to take your enrolment number to a nearby participating facility and get your digital health ID. However, if you need the health ID immediately, you can generate the ID through your Aadhaar number.
Via Mobile Number
If you don’t want to use your Aadhaar or DL to generate your health ID card, you can still generate the digital health ID via your mobile number.
Step 1: Visit the NDHM official website (https://abdm.gov.in/) and select “Generate ID”.
Step 2: There is an option to generate the health ID if you don’t have any IDs or don’t want to use IDs. Select “Click here”.
Step 3: Enter your mobile number to generate an OTP, and enter the OTP in the required field.
Step 4: Enter your personal information and choose a username and password to create your digital health ID.
Step 5: Log into your account with the newly created username and password and provide your address.
Step 6: Download your digital health ID card for future reference.
How to download a digital health ID card online?
Once you have successfully registered yourself for the health ID, you can download the digital health ID card. Here are the steps to download the health ID card online.
Step 1
Log in to your account through the website or mobile app, use your health ID number and date of birth, and click on submit.
Step 2
Select your ID card and click on “Download Health ID Card” to download your ID card.
How to deactivate my health ID card?
The health ID card is voluntary, and you can also opt out of the programme and reactivate it when required. Here are the steps to deactivate/delete digital health ID.
Step 1: Log in with your health ID or PHR and your date of birth and click on submit.
Step 2: You need to generate an OTP with your Aadhaar or mobile number or use the password you set to log in to your account.
Step 3: Post login, click on “My Account” and select “Deactivate/Delete Health ID” (Deactivation of health ID is temporary, and your account will not be closed; however, you can choose to delete the health ID) and click on “Continue” to delete or deactivate your health ID.
Who should create a Health ID Card?
If you resonate with any of the following scenarios, creating a Health ID is a smart move.
The Early Bird Advantage
Have you made an ABHA/Health ID already? Now you will be able to take advantage of the services early on. The authority may soon make it mandatory to create ABHA, just like Aadhaar or Pan Card.
Preparing for Future Benefits
Be the one to take the lead by proactively creating your ABHA number. Through this, you will be ready to take advantage of ABHA in the future, and will not be left behind in the digital health revolution of India.
Embracing Digital Innovation
Your ABHA or Health ID is a key to unlocking the opportunities for becoming a part of the digital healthcare revolution. This is more beneficial as major hospitals like AIIMS are already adapting their systems to ABHA as a mandatory requisite for availing healthcare.
Integrated Hospital Experience
Is your hospital ABHA-enabled? Using an ABHA or Health ID, you can collect all your hospital documents in a Personal Health Record (PHR) app. It's a quick way to keep track of your information and treatments related to your medical history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the answers to some of the common questions about digital health ID.
Is Aadhaar mandatory to apply for a digital health ID?
No, Aadhaar is not mandatory for creating a health ID. You can use your mobile number to generate the health ID.
What is Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)?
The primary aim of the mission is to develop a digital ecosystem to help integrate the digital health infrastructure of the country. The mission helps bridge the present gap amongst various participants of the electronic healthcare infrastructure via digital highways.
What is a PHR address?
Personal Health Records or PHR address is a self-declared username required to sign in to a Health Information Exchange and Consent Manage. You can generate the PHR address while signing up for the digital health ID.
What is a Health Facility Registry (HFR)?
HFR is a comprehensive digital storage facility of all health facilities in the country. Public and private health facilities include diagnostic laboratories, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, imaging centres, etc. Enrollment by health facilities is voluntary, and the system is highly secure and safe.
What is Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR)?
HPR is a comprehensive digital storage facility of registered and verified healthcare professionals (practitioners) in the country. Through the digital health ecosystem, healthcare professionals can connect with patients.
Is it possible to use other ID documents apart from Aadhaar to create a health ID?
Currently, the system allows you to use your Aadhaar or mobile number to create your health ID. Creation of digital health ID through other ID documents such as Driving Licence, PAN card etc., will soon be rolled out. You can approach participating health facilities to assist you in creating the health ID.
Is my digital health ID unique?
Yes, your digital health ID is unique to your profile, and you have the option to link all your medical records to the ID. Additionally, you can generate multiple health IDs to link different sets of medical records. However, you should generate a single digital health ID.
Are my medical records safe and secure when I create my digital health ID?
The NDHM does not store your medical records since it is recorded by healthcare information providers. Your documents are shared after your consent over the NDHM network with encryption for a safe and secure transfer of information between healthcare facilities, Digi Doctors, and other participating healthcare providers.
Is it mandatory to apply for a digital health ID card?
It is not mandatory to register for a digital ID card through the ABDM. Anyone who wishes to be part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and has their medical records available digitally needs to apply for the digital health ID.
What is the long-term vision of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission?
The launch of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to establish a nationwide digital health ecosystem that facilitates comprehensive and equitable healthcare coverage in a cost-effective, convenient, inclusive, timely, and secure manner.
Is the Digital Health ID card accessible across different healthcare facilities?
Yes, the Digital Health ID card is designed to be accessible across various healthcare facilities, allowing seamless sharing of health data between different providers and locations.
What type of health information is stored on the Digital Health ID card?
The Digital Health ID card stores a wide range of health information, including medical history, prescriptions, allergies, test results, vaccination records, and other essential health-related data.
What type of health information is stored on the Digital Health ID card?
The Digital Health ID card stores a wide range of health information, including medical history, prescriptions, allergies, test results, vaccination records, and other essential health-related data.
How can healthcare providers benefit from the Digital Health ID card system?
Healthcare providers can benefit from the Digital Health ID card system by accessing patients' comprehensive medical histories, aiding in accurate diagnoses, reducing medical errors, and enhancing treatment planning.
Which languages are compatible with the ABHA mobile application?
Presently, the ABHA mobile app exclusively supports English and Hindi. Nevertheless, the ABDM website indicates that additional languages will be incorporated in the near future.
Is the ABHA health free of cost?
Yes, the ABHA card is offered without charge, allowing Indian citizens to digitally share their medical records with clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, and other relevant entities.
Recent news on Digital Health ID & ABHA Card
Here Is The Latest News Related To Digital Health ID & ABHA Card
Ayushman Bharat Coverage Extended to ASHA and Anganwadi Workers
The Indian government has expanded health insurance coverage to include ASHA and Anganwadi workers across the nation. Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), these workers and other beneficiaries will receive medical insurance of up to Rs. 5 lakh annually for hospitalisation expenses.
This initiative demonstrates the government's dedication to providing equitable healthcare access and acknowledges the vital contributions of frontline workers in community health services.
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