ABHA card explained: Eligibility, benefits, documents required and how to apply online in India

Managing your medical history in a country as vast as India used to mean carrying bulky folders of prescriptions and lab reports to every doctor’s visit. This changed with the introduction of the Ayushman Bharat Health Account, better known as the ABHA card. It acts as a digital locker for your entire health journey, allowing you to store and share medical records with the tap of a button. By creating a unified digital identity, the government aims to make healthcare more organised and accessible for everyone. Whether you are visiting a local clinic or a specialist in another city, your data stays with you, ensuring better treatment and much less paperwork for every citizen.

Eligibility Criteria for ABHA Card

The government has kept the eligibility criteria simple. Here are the details:

• You must be a citizen or a resident of India.
• You must be 18 years of age to generate your ABHA card yourself.
• If you’re a minor, then your parents can create your ABHA ID. Do note that parents can also create it for newborns.
• Any individual who wants to digitise their health records can apply.

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Documents required

Here are the documents you can use to create your ABHA ID:

• Aadhaar Card or Driving Licence
• Mobile Number

Note: The process of applying for an ABHA ID is a paperless process, and you do not need to upload any certificates.

How to apply for ABHA card online

You can create your 14-digit ABHA number quickly by following these easy steps:

1. Open a web browser. Go to the ABDM website or download the ABHA app.

2. Click on Create ABHA Number.

3. Choose Aadhaar or driving licence as your option.

4. Enter your ID number.

5. You will get an OTP on your registered mobile number.

6. You will be required to enter this OTP to verify your identity.

7. Once you are verified, your basic information such as name and date of birth will be retrieved.

8. However, you may be required to enter some additional information, such as email.

9. Now, choose a unique username for yourself.

Note: This works like a UPI ID for your health records.

10. Your card will be generated instantly. Now, you can save it as a PDF or print it for future use.

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Benefits of ABHA card

ABHA has several advantages that make your interaction with the healthcare system easier:

• It consolidates your prescription, diagnostic, and discharge reports in a single location.
• It enables you to share your reports electronically with a doctor or a hospital immediately, even if you are not in the same state.
• It facilitates your online consultation services, as your doctors will be able to access your history remotely.
• You no longer need to worry about losing old reports or carrying heavy files during emergencies.
• Many pharmacies now allow you to receive digital prescriptions directly through your ABHA account.